Property transaction - help!

Do you have a query on how to get things done in Andalucia, where to find things, who to call? Find out by posting and hear about others experiences.
User avatar
hillybilly
Andalucia Guru
Posts: 2939
Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2004 12:53 am
Location: Estepa, Sevilla

Property transaction - help!

Postby hillybilly » Thu Dec 22, 2011 12:06 pm

I'm in the process of negotiating a sale on one of my properties (fingers xd!!!!). I'm resident & tax resident in Spain, the potential buyer isn't (but already has NIE no etc I think). It's a cash buyer, his money presently being in sterling. As the negotiation process is involving anything and everything to try to obtain the best deal for both of us, I have thought about the transaction taking place in sterling, not euros, to possible save some fees. I personally don't care what currency I get right now!

But, is this option even possible for a resident? If it is possible, what are the potential pitfalls, how would it be arranged with the notary etc etc? Or is it a potential can of worms and I should just stick with euros?????

Help please!

User avatar
hillybilly
Andalucia Guru
Posts: 2939
Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2004 12:53 am
Location: Estepa, Sevilla

Re: Property transaction - help!

Postby hillybilly » Thu Dec 22, 2011 12:08 pm

p.s. It is not my main residence - so what will the CGT implications be?

Beachcomber
Andalucia Guru
Posts: 11081
Joined: Tue Jun 15, 2004 11:11 pm
Location: Guadalhorce Valley

Re: Property transaction - help!

Postby Beachcomber » Thu Dec 22, 2011 12:44 pm

No, you cannot receive payment in sterling as a resident.

As a resident there will be no retention but you must declare the sale on your annual tax return. If you sell by the end of the year you will declare it in May/June next year otherwise the following year.
Let's go Brandon!

User avatar
hillybilly
Andalucia Guru
Posts: 2939
Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2004 12:53 am
Location: Estepa, Sevilla

Re: Property transaction - help!

Postby hillybilly » Thu Dec 22, 2011 12:59 pm

Thanks Beachy!!!
Euros it is then.
We've just agreed the deal and he's already paid a deposit to his lawyer.
The sale is unlikely to be completed this side of 31 Dec so fortunately I won't have to declare/pay until 2013.

Beachcomber
Andalucia Guru
Posts: 11081
Joined: Tue Jun 15, 2004 11:11 pm
Location: Guadalhorce Valley

Re: Property transaction - help!

Postby Beachcomber » Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:31 pm

There is, ahem, a way of circumventing the sterling problem, but it depends on there being absolute mutual trust between you and the purchaser.

The purchase must be in euros as you are a resident so the purchaser has to give you a bank draft corresponding to the sale price a copy of the draft being incorporated in the escritura. You no not pay in this draft but the purchaser gives you the funds in sterling.

The dangers are for you: that the sterling cheque bounces and you will have no legal redress and, for him: that you will cash his bank draft anyway and obtain payment in both sterling and euros. Unless you are desperate for sterling I think it would be best to go with the flow and accept the payment in the form of a bank draft drawn on the Spanish bank which is handed over to you before the notary at the moment of the signing.
Let's go Brandon!

User avatar
hillybilly
Andalucia Guru
Posts: 2939
Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2004 12:53 am
Location: Estepa, Sevilla

Re: Property transaction - help!

Postby hillybilly » Thu Dec 22, 2011 5:57 pm

Thanks. Not desperate for sterling so will stick with euros.

Next question - I have all my old tax returns here...but I seem to recall that I will need a piece of paper from Hacienda - a certificate of fiscal residency? Do I simply go to my local AEAT office armed with my old tax returns and request one?

User avatar
janda_grant2
Resident
Posts: 1060
Joined: Mon Apr 07, 2008 12:21 pm
Location: Kirton, Lincs

Re: Property transaction - help!

Postby janda_grant2 » Thu Dec 22, 2011 6:24 pm

Don't think you need your tax returns just your bar code - we got ours from Osuna with no problems
I can spell but I can't type

Beachcomber
Andalucia Guru
Posts: 11081
Joined: Tue Jun 15, 2004 11:11 pm
Location: Guadalhorce Valley

Re: Property transaction - help!

Postby Beachcomber » Thu Dec 22, 2011 6:40 pm

AEAT will (should) have all of your tax returns on record. You will only need to produce them if there is any problem with their IT system (so you may well have to do so!)

You can apply for the certificate online if you have an electronic signature.
Let's go Brandon!

User avatar
hillybilly
Andalucia Guru
Posts: 2939
Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2004 12:53 am
Location: Estepa, Sevilla

Re: Property transaction - help!

Postby hillybilly » Thu Dec 22, 2011 7:19 pm

OK thanks.
No electronic signature so shall go to Osuna with my bar codes (plus everything else, just in case!).

User avatar
Mowser
Andalucia Guru
Posts: 6388
Joined: Thu Sep 27, 2007 10:42 am
Location: Torre del Mar

Re: Property transaction - help!

Postby Mowser » Thu Dec 22, 2011 7:52 pm

Well done on the sale hillybilly! :thumbup:
Dave

User avatar
hillybilly
Andalucia Guru
Posts: 2939
Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2004 12:53 am
Location: Estepa, Sevilla

Re: Property transaction - help!

Postby hillybilly » Thu Dec 22, 2011 10:10 pm

Thanks. This one's taken nearly 2 years - am selling at a loss and even throwing in a vehicle...

User avatar
Devils Advocate
Andalucia Guru
Posts: 5597
Joined: Tue Mar 06, 2007 2:38 pm
Location: Sierra Tejeda and England

Re: Property transaction - help!

Postby Devils Advocate » Thu Dec 22, 2011 10:33 pm

I hope it's not the Aston :wtf:
Property owner in Andalucia since 2002. How time flies.

ashtondav
Resident
Posts: 1776
Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2005 8:10 pm
Location: Northampton Frigiliana/Nerja

Re: Property transaction - help!

Postby ashtondav » Wed Jun 12, 2013 6:36 am

Is there anything to stop a non resident selling a spanish property to another non resident for sterling?

1. What would be the process re notaries etc.
2. Any implications for seller's tax liability in Spain
3. Any implications for buyers' tax liability in Spain
4. Why would anyone do this other than to avoid the minimal 1% currency conversion and transfer costs?


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google Adsense [Bot] and 40 guests