Planning to buy your first home or invest in real estate? Here’s a comprehensive guide to property tax in Saudi Arabia, including how Saudi citizens can benefit from exemptions for first-time buyers, eligibility criteria, and how to register and document your property electronically—according to the rules of the General Real Estate Authority and the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA).
Real Estate Transaction Tax (RETT)
The Real Estate Transaction Tax is a 5% property tax applied to any activity that involves transferring property ownership or usufruct rights—whether residential, commercial, or agricultural. It includes property sales, lease-to-own transactions, and non-exempt gifts.
What is the Real Estate Transactions Platform?
This is a digital government platform that allows users to register property details and pay property tax—including applicable exemptions—before officially documenting the contract with the Ministry of Justice.
What Does the Real Estate Transactions Platform Offer?
- Registration of all property types.
- Services for individuals, companies, government agencies, and legal representatives.
- Options to modify or cancel applications.
- Review of previous requests and tax verification.
- Identification of exemption cases from property tax.
- Integration with key authorities like the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing.
Registering property tax via Real Estate Transactions Platform – Aqar App
Who is Responsible for Paying the Property Tax?
Under Saudi regulations, the seller is primarily responsible for paying the property tax. However, both buyer and seller may agree on a different arrangement, though the legal liability remains with the seller before the tax authority.
The seller is legally accountable for the property tax – Aqar App
Steps to Transfer Property Ownership Before Documentation
- Register the transaction through the Real Estate Transactions Platform.
- Enter accurate details and select the type of transaction (taxable or exempt).
- Pay the property tax if applicable, or apply for exemption in the case of a first home purchase.
Property Tax Exemption: How to Benefit as a First-Time Buyer
Saudi citizens are eligible for a property tax exemption when purchasing their first residential property valued up to SAR 1,000,000. This government benefit is available only for first-time buyers and must be validated with an exemption certificate issued by the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing.
Conditions for Receiving a Property Tax Exemption Certificate
- The property must be the citizen’s first home.
- The value of the property must not exceed SAR 1,000,000.
- If the property exceeds SAR 1,000,000, the buyer must pay the tax on the amount above this threshold.
How to Apply for Property Tax Exemption
- Visit the Real Estate Transactions Platform.
- Log in using the National Access credentials.
- Select the property type (residential) and specify the nature (apartment, floor, villa, etc.).
- Enter your ID number to check exemption eligibility.
- Fill in the required information and submit your request.
When is Property Tax Due?
The property tax is officially due on the date the purchase contract is documented between the buyer and the seller.
How to Get a Property Tax Refund if the Sale is Canceled
If property tax has been paid but the transaction wasn’t completed, the seller can log in to the platform and cancel the request from the “Real Estate Transactions” section. The paid amount will be refunded to the same IBAN used for the payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is property tax for first-time buyers?
It is a VAT exemption provided by the government for Saudi citizens purchasing their first home, up to SAR 1,000,000. - How do I get the exemption certificate?
Apply through the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing’s online platform. - Does the exemption apply to homes over SAR 1,000,000?
Only the first SAR 1,000,000 is exempt. The buyer pays VAT on any amount exceeding that. - Can I sell the property after receiving the exemption?
Yes. However, any future sale is subject to property tax upon transfer of ownership. - Are gifts or inherited properties subject to property tax?
Gifts between first-degree relatives and inherited real estate are exempt.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia’s property tax system is designed to regulate real estate transactions while offering meaningful support to first-time homebuyers. If you’re planning to purchase your first home, ensure you understand the eligibility criteria and complete your exemption application correctly to fully benefit from this initiative.
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