(Taichung News) Recently, citizens have inquired the Local Tax Bureau whether transferring ownership of buildings that have yet to apply for initial registration of building ownership requires affixing revenue stamp to the deed.

According to Local Tax Bureau, Taichung City Government, when the public is selling and transferring ownership of buildings that have yet to apply for initial registration of building ownership, since he is unable to apply for registration of change at the agency in charge of land administration, the contract submitted to the taxing authority for deed tax purposes does not fall under the definition of “Referring to pledge of lien on real estate, or deeds or contracts for sale, exchange, gratuitous transfer, or partition of real estate to be submitted to government agencies for registration”, therefore it is exempt from revenue stamp.

According to the Bureau, some houses are unable to apply for initial registration of building ownership due to incompliance with relevant building regulations. Unless the descendants are able to rectify the building in accordance with the law and turn it into a legal building, since the building has not yet applied for initial registration of building ownership, the subsequent transfers may not apply for change of ownership registration from the agency in charge of land administration. Consequently, when declaring deed tax during transfer of ownership, the building is not included in the scope of stamp tax and no revenue stamp will needed as per the law. If you have any questions, please contact the bureau’s toll-free number 0800-086969 or 04-22585000#1 for the telephone customer service center, and our staff will be glad to assist you.