Taxes

There are mainly two taxes involved when selling a property in Spain: Capital Gain Tax and Plusvalia (Council) Tax. At Sure Fortune we will help you understand and understand the process, we can also recommend a suitable specialist.

Capital Gain Tax

From 2007, gains made on the sale or transfer of assets, whether moveable or immovable assets, are taxed as “savings income” – so gains are added to your other savings income for the year and then taxed accordingly. The total savings income (including gains) tax rates for 2012 are therefore: up to 6.000 € the rate is 21%, from 6.000 € to 24.000 € the rate is 25% and over 24.000 € the rate is 27%.

The cost of acquisition, lawyer and real estate agent invoices, expenditure on improving or enhancing the property are allowable as a deduction when calculating the amount and there is also an “indexation co-efficient” depending on how long the property has been owned.

When property is sold by a non-resident of Spain, purchasers must withhold 3% of the purchase price (not the gain) and pay it over to the Spanish tax authorities as an advance payment of capital gains tax on behalf of the vendor.

Plusvalia Council Tax

The Plusvalia (Council) Tax is a local tax in urban areas levied by Spanish Town Halls on property transactions.

Plusvalia tax = Catastral value of the land x Yearly percentage of value’s increase x Number of years of ownership x Tax rate

At the momentthe tax rates are:
Benahavís: Yearly percentage of value’s increase: 2,3% Tax rate: 20%
Marbella: Yearly percentage of value’s increase: 2,4% Tax rate: 30%