higher property tax for foreigners not on household registry

[John]

I noticed that my property and land tax is a higher than my husband's (we each own 50% of the house and land).

Hubby claimed that this is because he gets a 'discount', and this is only possible if you are on the "household registration".

Of course I cannot be on the "household registration", because I am a foreigner and our marriage is not recognized under Taiwanese law?

Anyone know a way around this?

[Rotalsnart]

Yes, foreigners are also eligible for the reduced tax rate for property that is in their own name and in which they live. (This tax benefit is only available on the property you own and in which you actually live, not in a property that you own and rent out.) All you have to do is take your ARC showing the address of the house as your residence address, and the deed to the house showing you own your share of it in your own name, and register with the property tax office in your district. (I've registered for the same tax deduction on my own property so I know it can be done.)

The only difference between local and foreign owners in this regard is that the local owner must bring the household registration plus the deed, whereas the foreign owner must bring their ARC plus the deed (in both cases the address on the household registration or ARC must be the same as the address on the deed).

[John]

Awesome, thanks.

I thought that would have all been done when we went to the various offices to transfer 50% ownership into my name (went to about 4 different floors in the tax department), but obviously this will require an entire new set of forms and floor.

Thanks again.

[Rotalsnart]

Awesome, thanks.

I thought that would have all been done when we went to the various offices to transfer 50% ownership into my name (went to about 4 different floors in the tax department), but obviously this will require an entire new set of forms and floor.

Thanks again.

Hopefully the fact that the apartment is in two different names will not pose any obstacles. Legally, I'm fairly confident it should not, but sometimes administrative people will use any excuse to shoo applicants away. Let us know if you have any problems with the tax registration. (In my experience it was a one-counter, one-stop deal at the land tax office in my district.)

[ichbinjenny]

(This tax benefit is only available on the property you own and in which you actually live, not in a property that you own and rent out.)

So if my partner and I own an apartment (in a very similar arrangement as the OP, 50% ownership w/non-legally-wed-spouse), I will be taxed higher than she because she is Taiwanese and I am not?

[Rotalsnart]

(This tax benefit is only available on the property you own and in which you actually live, not in a property that you own and rent out.)

So if my partner and I own an apartment (in a very similar arrangement as the OP, 50% ownership w/non-legally-wed-spouse), I will be taxed higher than she because she is Taiwanese and I am not?

No. A foreign national is eligible for the same tax break as a Taiwanese on the apartment/house that they own and live in. But regardless of whether a foreign national or a Taiwanese, to claim the deduction you must go through the process of taking the deed with your name on it, your I.D., and your chop, down to the local tax office in your district and filing an application. You only have to do this once and the deduction will continue to apply in all subsequent years.

I know for a fact that this applies to property that is wholly owned in one person's name, and I presume that it it also applies to property that is owned in shares (50-50 or otherwise), regardless of the relationship or nationality of the people who own the respective shares. Just go down to your local property tax office with the deed to your property, your I.D., and your chop in hand and they should be able to register you for the deduction on the spot. If that doesn't work for some reason, ask them to explain why and report back to us.

[*monkey*]

What is the property tax descount for registering it as main domicile? Anyone have any info? The basic rate is 1.2%, right?

Property tax is due this month