Hi all,
I‘m in process of buying a property in canton Baselland. It is a canton that applies property transfer tax, normally of 2.5%, shared equally between buyer and seller.
However, there is an exemption if we declare that this property was acquired as an exclusively and permanently owner-occupied home.
Reference is made in sales contract to this tax but also to the exemption (likely a boilerplate template).
Baselland site states, „ In addition, the property transfer tax is not levied on the purchaser if he purchases a property as exclusively and permanently owner-occupied residential property (declaration of exemption from transfer tax). However, the seller is also exempt from this tax when selling permanently and exclusively owner-occupied property, provided that the proceeds are usually used within two years to purchase a replacement property that is used in the same way in Switzerland (registration form for properties in private assets)“.
This is a new build sold by developer so I‘m guessing the seller is liable but this will clearly be an owner-occupied property (family house).
So, is there a specific definition of „owner occupied property“, such as a multi-family house and i‘m therefore following a lead to folly, or could we really be exempt from the 1.25% property transfer tax?
Link to Basellland‘s own law below:
https://www.baselland.ch/politik-und...nd3_082_01.pdf
Thanks in advance for anything which helps clarify the issue.
I also guess it‘s one for the notary...