Purchase costs and yearly taxes
What you pay on top of the price, and what you pay every year.
One-time costs when you buy
- Transfer tax: 3% of the price or of the government valuation, whichever is higher.
- Lawyer: usually around 1% to 1.5% of the price.
- Notary, registration and small fees: usually well under 1%.
Every listing on Casariba has a calculator with these costs for that home.
Yearly property tax (IPI)
Individuals pay 1% per year on the part of the value of all their homes together that is above a threshold set by the tax office (DGII) each year. Many apartments and smaller homes stay below it and pay nothing. Companies are taxed differently. Land in the countryside and some homes are exempt.
CONFOTUR
Homes in tourism projects approved under the CONFOTUR law (Law 158-01) can be exempt from the transfer tax and from IPI for a set number of years, often 15. The exemption belongs to the project and must be confirmed in its official resolution; ask the agent for it.
Monthly costs
Most homes in a building or gated community pay a maintenance fee (cuota de mantenimiento) for security, gardens, pool and common areas. Electricity, water, internet and gas are usually separate. If you rent the home out, rental income is taxed; ask an accountant.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and amounts can change; always have your own lawyer check your purchase. Most prices are in US dollars; amounts in other currencies are indicative and depend on the exchange rate on the day you pay.