At time of property transaction, many home buyers do not know they should apply for a change in housing usage to enjoy lower residential property tax rates, said the Local Tax Bureau of Taichung City Government. Until a change in housing usage is applied, the non-residential property tax rates will be still levied.

Local Tax Bureau explained that if a change in housing usage is applied after the 16th day in a month, the original tax rate is levied in that month; if the application is made before the 15th day ofa month, the new tax rate is levied from the beginning of that month. To safeguard your rights, the Local Tax Bureau has attached an additional slip on the deed tax application form. If you buy a self-use house, you can fill and file the attached slip first to the Local Tax Bureau. A review and approval process will be carried out only after ownership of the real estate is actually transferred and registered under your name and you do not rent the house out or use the house for business operations. Then, you will pay housing tax by the residential property tax rates.

Local Tax Bureau reminds tax payers to make good use of the slip attached to the deed tax application form to protect your own rights. If you still have any questions, please call 0800-086969 (toll-free) or 04-22585000 ext. 1 for the call center. We at the Local Tax Bureau are always happy to answer your questions.