Wednesday, 30 January 2008

Renting In North Cyprus

By William Marind

The annual immovable property tax imposed by the government is approximately CY60-120 per year. The municipal authorities also levy an annual property tax of CY20-30 per year and other authorities may also require CY20-40 sewage tax. Common expenses are usually paid monthly or quarterly in advance. They vary from development to development and depend on the area and type of property.They cover an owner's share of the cost of cleaning and maintaining common areas and gardens, swimming pool expenses, electricity in common areas, management fees, rubbish collection and repairs. The estimated total is in the region of CY150 to CY300 per year.

Non-Cypriot individuals residing in Cyprus pay income tax at a flat rate of just 5%. This applies to the amounts remitted to Cyprus from pensions or income from overseas investments. The first CY2,000 per annum are tax exempt. Personal effects, household goods and furniture may be imported duty free by immigrant retirees, provided that they are for personal use and have been in use for some time (approximately one year). There is no duty on one car and retired couples benefit from the additional concession of two duty free cars.

Compared with other international financial centres, Cyprus offers a distinct benefit in the form of double taxation treaties. Agreements with an increasing number of countries eliminate the double taxation of income earned in any one of these countries. In practice, the tax levied by one country is credited against the tax levied in the taxpayer's country of residence. Where different tax rates apply, the tax payer will ultimately not pay more than the higher of the two rates of the respectively countries.

There is an increasing tendency by the local and the foreign market (in particular the British market) to acquire old village houses which are subsequently improved/converted into modern residences.Before the "craze" of village cottages started, there were some real bargains for this nature of property. Nowadays cottages of character and colour are relatively expensive and they may amount, together with the repair improvement bills, in excess of what a new villa of the same size would cost.

To date, double tax haven treaties exist between Cyprus and the following countries: Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, Malta, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Syria, United Kingdom, South Africa, United States and Yugoslavia.

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