Article with the courtesy of Sovereign Trust Ldª in Lagôa 

THE SOVEREIGN PORTUGUESE PROPERTY PURCHASE PLAN

In 2002 and 2003, during a general reform of property taxation, the Portuguese authorities introduced legislation which limited the advantages of purchasing property by the traditional “offshore” company. This had the effect of raising the level of Municipal Tax (rates) payable on offshore owned property to a flat 5% and also imposed a tax on a presumed rental income calculated at 1/15^th of the “Valor Patrimonial” (Rateable Value). In the 2007 Budget, the Municipal Tax payable on offshore owned property has been reduced to 1%, however there is still the necessity to submit a tax return on presumed rental income.

Nevertheless, there are still substantial advantages to be achieved by holding a Portuguese property in the name of a non resident company including:

1.         SUCCESSION CONSIDERATIONS – Whilst inheritance tax in Portugal was abolished as from 01.01.2004, it has been replaced with a 10% stamp duty based on the tax department value of the asset - unless the inheritors are close family members. The tax department is currently revaluing all properties upwards to a much more realistic market level and thus that stamp duty charge can become meaningful. Thus in cases where a property investment is to be held by non-related parties it is often better to have the title held by a company with the shares issued to the beneficiaries in the appropriate percentages. As a company never dies, a Portuguese property owned by a company should not be subject to any charge to stamp duty in Portugal.

It should also be noted that the purchase of property by a company may give tax planning opportunities in respect of the eventual transmission of ownership on death, where the beneficial owner of the company is subject to inheritance tax in his or her home jurisdiction. The establishment of a discretionary trust to hold the shares of the company offers considerable advantages which may include any or all of the following:  (i) avoidance of the considerable expense and delays of probate; (ii) asset protection; (iii) capital or income tax savings; (iv) confidentiality; (v) flexibility. For further information please refer to the leaflet at the end of this information sheet.

2.         AVOIDANCE OF PORTUGUESE CAPITAL GAINS TAX - Portugal taxes resident individuals under a unitary individual income tax, capital gains being amalgamated with other income for tax purposes.  For residents only half the capital gain is considered as taxable so the higher rate of tax is effectively 20% on capital gains. There is also an opportunity for residents to “roll-over” a gain into a similar investment.  For non-residents however, any gain made is taxed at a flat rate of 25% on the whole gain – there is no exemption. This tax may be avoided by transferring the shares in the property owning company ensuring no transfer takes place in Portugal.

3.         SAVING OF PURCHASE COSTS - A purchaser of property in Portugal is liable to pay a property transfer tax called I.M.T. (Imposto Municipal sobre Transmissões) and will also incur notarial and registration fees.  I.M.T. is charged on a sliding scale dependent on the valuation of the property. The maximum rate is 6% which applies to properties valued at €511,000 and over. As an example, a property valued at €400,000 would attract I.M.T. of €20,914.00. Notarial and registration fees are fixed by law at reasonably low amounts but Stamp Duty is charged at 0.8% of the value. Plots of urban building land are charged at a flat rate of 6.5%.

If a purchaser is offered the opportunity of purchasing shares in a non resident company he or she may avoid incurring these expenses.  This makes the purchase an attractive proposition for the purchaser and would normally allow the seller to charge more for the property. The savings made by a purchaser of the shares would often, if invested, earn more than the cost of maintaining the company.

4.         EASE OF SALE - Transferring shares in a non resident company avoids the lengthy and protracted procedures which are necessary to register a fresh title in Portugal.  The sale and purchase can thus be achieved more quickly, easily and cheaply.

5.         PROPERTY FINANCE FACILITY - The shares of a non resident company can be used to secure a loan for the purchase of the property.  Commonly, the shares are charged to the bank in return for a loan equal to a proportion of the value of the property. This can also be advantageous when two or more parties join together in an investment and/or development project as loan agreements between the parties can be drafted and shareholders agreements entered into to protect or determine future decisions.

6.                  PRIVACY, CONFIDENTIALITY AND ASSET PROTECTION - These are other advantages of company ownership. It is relatively straightforward to hide the beneficial ownership of the property with subsequent advantages under the above headings.

7.                  TAX SAVINGS – if the property is held by a company in UK, Delaware or Malta, the the Municipal taxes payable are the same as if the property were in personal names and there is no liability to submit a tax return on presumed income.

SUITABLE JURISDICTIONS FOR PROPERTY HOLDING

As mentioned at the start of this information sheet, the traditional holding company jurisdictions of Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Bahamas etc are now penalised simply due to their low corporate tax basis. Whilst it is still possible to use these, the higher tax charges imposed would normally make it uneconomical to do so.

Sovereign believes that the most suitable corporate vehicles to hold Portuguese property are those incorporated in either Malta, Delaware, USA or the UK. None of these appear on the Portuguese list of offshore jurisdictions and Sovereign believe that it is extremely unlikely they will be added to that list in the light of their EU membership, in the case of Malta and the U.K., and the fact that all three are tax treaty partners of Portugal.

In the case of Malta, the vehicle used is an International Holding Company (IHC) which is subject to Malta corporation tax.In the case of a property company this would normally only be in respect of rental income which would be taxable in the first instance in Portugal due to the fact that the income producing asset is sited there. Whilst that income should be declared as well in Malta the more generous system of allowances and rebates in operation there would normally mena that there would be no further tax to pay although some added accounting costs would need to be considered. Please also note further Maltese tax issues under the heading “Capital Gains” on page 4 of this information sheet.

Delaware corporations only pay a nominal level of State taxes but are liable for US Federal tax (15%-39%). This would generally only be imposed on US source income but for the avoidance of doubt, Sovereign advises that the use of a Limited Liability Company (LLC) where the tax liability flows through to its members would be preferred. Under normal circumstances Sovereign would provide the Members to a Delaware LLC thus providing a measure of tax protection to the beneficiaries.

In respect of the UK, it is vital to ensure that the Portuguese property is held by the UK company holding as nominee (or bare trustee) for the beneficial owner. Under this arrangement title of the property is registered in the name of the company but at the same time a legal agreement is prepared which makes it clear that the company is not the real owner but is holding the asset for the beneficiary and that all financial benefits, being any rental income and any capital gains produced by the sale of the Portuguese assets, are the absolute property of that beneficiary. As such all income and capital gains would be declarable by the beneficiary as being income and capital gains belonging to him or her and the company will always file zero returns at the UK Company Registry and tax department.

PLEASE NOTE:-

1.             Capital Gains:  Capital Gains Tax in Portugal may be avoided if the transfer of the property takes place by transferring the shares of the property owning company leaving title to the property unaltered.  However, any capital gain made by selling the shares may be taxable directly on the beneficial owner of the property according to the rules of wherever that owner happens to be tax resident at the time the gain is made.  If a buyer refuses to acquire the company and requires a transfer of title of the property to him/herself, then any capital gain made will be taxable in Portugal at the rate of 25% less limited deductions. The gain may also be taxable wherever the beneficiary resides but generally the tax paid in Portugal may be set off against any personal tax liability in that country. It should be noted that in the above circumstances, capital gains tax would be payable in Malta at the rate of 35%. After deduction of tax paid in Portugal the balance of tax due may be able to be mitigated by the introduction of other deductible expenses.

2.             Income Tax:  If the property is rented out in Portugal then the rental income must be declared in Portugal and Portuguese tax would be payable.  The post tax income could then be remitted but: (a) in the case of UK and USA the remitted income would be taxable on the beneficial owner but, as with a capital gain, credit would normally be given for tax already suffered in Portugal so, again, the beneficial owner would end up paying the highest rate applicable in either Portugal or his country of residence; (b) in the case of Malta, the post tax rental income would accrue directly to the Malta company so, again, planning opportunities may exist to avoid any further taxation.

3.             Fiscal Representative: Any non-resident of Portugal acquiring property, whether an individual or company, must appoint a resident fiscal representative. The fiscal representative is regarded by the tax department as the contact point in all fiscal matters in respect of the property. The Sovereign office in Portugal is able to provide this service for a very reasonable initial and annual fee thus ensuring all fiscal matters get dealt with promptly and efficiently. Further details are available on request.

4.       Whilst the power of attorney issued by the Company to acquire the property can be prepared in the Portuguese language it is also necessary to provide the Land Registry with a translation of the notarised and legalised copy of the Certificate of Incorporation. This translation is not included in the above fee structure and would normally be attended to by the client’s lawyer or other legal representative. If requested, Sovereign can arrange for this translation to be effected and legalised in Portugal for an additional cost of €150.00. A company acquiring property in Portugal must apply to the central Registry for a fiscal number. This again would normally be arranged by the legal representative but if necessary can be provided through our services at an additional cost of €160.

5.         Administrative offices of The Sovereign Group are able to assist clients with the preparation and submission of annual accounts for their companies. The quoted costs above are on the understanding that the client provides the relevant information for accounts to be prepared in a timely manner and that the property is not receiving rental income. If information is not forthcoming we reserve the right to increase costs according to the extra time spent.

 Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the details contained herein are correct and up-to-date, this information does not constitute legal or other professional advice. We do not accept any responsibility, legal or otherwise, for any error or omission.

For further info visit:

http://www.sovereigngroup.com/portugal