Cambios en la VIVIENDA en Cataluña | Es un escándalo

Summary

The video explains a significant tax reform in Catalonia that drastically increases property taxes for investors, particularly targeting those with five or more properties. The reform, effective from March 26, 2025, introduces a progressive tax system for property transfers, with rates ranging from 10% to 20% depending on the value of the property. It also imposes higher taxes on companies and small investors, making operations like buying, renovating, and selling less profitable. The video provides insights into the financial impact of these changes, offering strategies to navigate the new fiscal landscape, while raising concerns about its potential to worsen housing affordability.

Takeaways

• 😀 Catalonia's new fiscal reform increases taxes on real estate transactions, especially for investors, making it more expensive to buy properties.
• 😀 A progressive tax system has been introduced, where the higher the property value, the higher the tax rate, ranging from 10% to 13%.
• 😀 Investors owning five or more properties in a 'tensioned area' will now face a 20% property tax (ITP), a significant increase from the previous rates.
• 😀 Small property investors, including individuals and small companies, are heavily impacted by the new tax rates, which can significantly affect their profitability.
• 😀 If you are an investor who owns more than five properties, or if you plan to buy an entire building, you are considered a 'large holder' and will face the 20% tax rate.
• 😀 The government aims to prevent the accumulation of properties by a few large owners, but in practice, this impacts even small investors, not just large corporations.
• 😀 First-time homebuyers under 35 with incomes below €36,000 can benefit from a reduced tax rate of 5% for their primary residence, though this benefit is limited.
• 😀 The reform also increases the 'Impuesto de Actos Jurídicos Documentados' (AJD), a tax on certain real estate transactions involving companies or self-employed individuals, by 40%.
• 😀 Small businesses and individuals who previously benefited from reduced tax rates may now face much higher costs, reducing the profitability of many real estate operations.
• 😀 The government claims that the fiscal reform will improve housing access, but the result might be higher prices due to reduced property supply as many investors scale back their activities.

Q & A

What is the new tax reform in Catalonia about?

The new tax reform in Catalonia introduces a significant increase in taxes on property purchases, especially targeting investors and those with multiple properties. It affects the property transfer tax (ITP) and introduces higher tax rates for 'large holders' and certain other groups. The reform also eliminates previous tax benefits and introduces new limitations on how properties can be bought and sold.

How does the new ITP tax system work in Catalonia?

The new ITP system in Catalonia is progressive, meaning the higher the value of the property, the higher the tax rate. For properties valued up to 600,000 euros, the tax is 10%, between 600,000 and 900,000 euros, it's 11%, from 900,000 to 1.1 million euros, it's 12%, and for properties exceeding 1.5 million euros, the tax is 13%.

What is the new tax rate for large property holders in Catalonia?

Large property holders, or 'gran tenedor', now face an increased ITP of 20%. This applies to individuals or entities that own five or more properties or more than 100m² of residential property in a high-demand area. The goal of this measure is to limit property accumulation by a few owners, though it also impacts smaller investors.

Who qualifies as a 'gran tenedor' in Catalonia under the new reform?

A 'gran tenedor' is anyone who owns five or more properties or more than 100m² of residential space in high-demand areas. This designation also applies to those buying entire buildings, even if they are not large corporations or wealthy individuals.

How has the tax burden changed for real estate businesses?

Real estate businesses, especially those buying, renovating, and reselling properties, have seen a significant increase in tax burdens. Previously, they benefited from a reduced 3% ITP tax rate, but now, if they are considered large property holders, they are subject to the same 20% tax rate as individuals with many properties.

How did the reform impact a recent property purchase in Gava?

A recent property purchase in Gava that cost 175,000 euros, which would have previously incurred a 3% ITP tax, now would incur a 20% tax under the new reform. This represents a drastic increase in tax payments—from 5,250 euros to 35,000 euros—making certain property investment strategies unprofitable.

What changes have occurred in the tax for first-time homebuyers in Catalonia?

First-time homebuyers who meet certain conditions—such as being under 35 years of age and having a taxable income of 36,000 euros or less—can benefit from a reduced ITP tax rate of 5% when purchasing their first home. However, this benefit is limited to a very small group of people who meet all the criteria.

What is the impact of the reform on companies buying properties for renovations and rental?

For companies that previously bought properties to renovate and rent them out, the new tax reform significantly increases costs. They face the 20% ITP tax rate instead of the previous 3%, which makes renovation and rental projects much less profitable. As a result, companies may choose to stop these activities, reducing the supply of renovated properties in the market.

What changes have occurred in the Act of Legalized Documents (AJD) tax in Catalonia?

The AJD tax, applied to certain transactions involving companies or autonomous individuals, has increased from 2.5% to 3.5%, a 40% rise. This affects cases like when a company buys a second-hand property without applying VAT exemption, resulting in higher transaction costs.

What are some strategies for adapting to the new tax regime in Catalonia?

To adapt to the new tax regime, investors should update their financial models to account for the higher tax rates, avoid crossing the threshold that makes them a 'gran tenedor', and consider purchasing properties through different structures like partnerships or independent entities. It's also important to review the tax vehicle used for each investment and take advantage of any benefits, such as reduced rates for younger buyers or first-time homebuyers.