Property Taxes

Impuesto Sobre Bienes lnmuebles (the main local property tax paid by all owners of property in Spain). The amount of the tax is calculated by reference to the “valor catastral” (official value of the property), registered in respect of all properties in Spain. The percentage of the “valor catastral” changes as tax varies from area to area. The official values were until recently very low. They are now rapidly rising, pursuant to a policy of the Spanish Government, which will result in the official values approaching the real value of the property.

Some Municipalities raise additional taxation in relation to the services that they supply to people in the area. These may include rubbish collection, cleaning of the streets and beaches etc. Municipalities also have the right to raise a charge for the use of a vehicle in their area. The amounts of these “tasas” y “cargas” are generally not very high.

If a capital gain is made as a result of the sale of a Spanish property, then this will be subject to taxation in Spain. As of January 2007, the capital gains tax for non-residents was reduced from 35% to 19,5%, and the withholding tax reduced from 5% to 3%.

In principle, a capital gain is determined by first calculating the “purchase value” of the property (original purchase price to which are added the directly related taxes and costs), and the “sales value” (sales price from which are deducted the directly related taxes and costs, including legal fees and estate agent’s fees).

• Then, the amount of the “purchase value” is deducted from the “sales value” to give you the capital gain. This resulting capital gain, which is then subject to taxation, can then be reduced even further by the following:
• Adjusting the amount by applying an inflationary co-efficient which is updated on an annual basis by the General Budget. The coefficient depends on the year of purchase. It is important to note that an inflationary co-efficient can only be applied if the property was purchased at least one year prior to the sales date.
• If the property has been rented, the purchase value could be reduced by the amortization corresponding to the rental period. The amortization is also adjusted by relevant coefficients.
• The final adjusted capital gains tax amount is then taxed at the flat rate of 19,5%.

It is important to note that the purchaser, resident or not, is obliged to withhold from the vendor 3% of the sales price, this amount to be deposited with the Tax Authorities on behalf of the vendor’s capital gains tax liability. This amount must be paid within 30 days of the sale taking place. The Tax Authorities will deduct this amount automatically from the vendor’s actual capital gains tax liability. However should the amount deposited be more than the tax due, then the seller may apply for a refund of the difference.