SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan
Can anyone (including foreigners) own and occupy real estate in your jurisdiction (including shares in property owning companies)? Are there any restrictions?
Only Filipino citizens or corporations the outstanding capital stock of which is owned to the extent of at least 60% by Philippine nationals (in terms of (i) shares entitled to vote in the election of directors and (ii) any and all other classes of shares) may own land in the Philippines (i.e., foreign equity interest in a domestic corporation which owns land is limited only up to 40%). As an exception, a foreign individual may acquire and own private lands through intestate succession or if such foreign individual was a former natural-born Filipino citizen who lost his Philippine citizenship. However, any person, including foreigners, may own a building. If the building is a condominium, foreigners may own up to 40% of the units therein on the basis of floor area. All unit owners in a condominium building will be stockholders of the condominium corporation which, in turn, will own the common areas, including the land on which the condominium building stands.
Are there restrictions on lending for the purchase of real estate by foreign companies? If so briefly give an outline?
We are not aware of any such restriction. Foreign companies may lend to a person who is qualified to own land (see the nationality restriction on land ownership, discussed above) or to any person who will own a building, or condominium unit(s).
Buying
Please provide a short summary of the fees and costs (including tax) relating to buying real estate in your jurisdiction.
Taxes will depend on whether the real estate (land, condominium unit and/or building) is a capital asset or an ordinary asset as well as the status of the seller. If the real estate is a capital asset, the purchase is subject to capital gains tax (CGT) of 6% of the gross selling price or current fair market value, whichever is higher, and documentary stamp tax (DST) of 1.5% of the actual consideration for the sale. As to sales of condominium units or buildings, the 6% CGT does not apply when the seller is a foreign corporation. The amount of any gain derived by a foreign corporation from such sale of real estate classified as capital asset would be subject to 25% corporate income tax.
If the real estate is an ordinary asset, the purchase is subject to (i) creditable withholding tax (CWT) of 1.5% to 6% depending on the status of the seller which may be offset against the seller’s income tax due at the end of the taxable year, (ii) 12% value added tax, and (iii) 1.5% DST.
Moreover, the purchase is subject to local government transfer tax payable to the city or municipal treasurer at a typical rate of 0.50% (if located in the provinces) or 0.75% (if located within Metro Manila) of the total consideration for the acquisition or current fair market value, whichever is higher. Moreover, the transfer of the certificate of title to land (please see item III below) is subject to payment of fees (with a schedule/ scale) to the Register of Deeds.
It should also be noted that, in order that the certificate of title (OCT or TCT, as discussed below) over a parcel of land can be transferred to the buyer and a new certificate of title can be issued by the Register of Deeds to the latter, a Certificate of Full Payment of real property tax issued by the City or Municipal Treasurer having jurisdiction over the location of the subject parcel of land must be submitted to the Register of Deeds. Real property tax is at a range of 1% of the assessed value of the land if it is located in the provinces, and 2% of the assessed value of the land if it is located in Metro Manila.
Owning
Are there taxes applicable to owning real estate and can the burden of the taxes be passed to someone else (e.g. a tenant or an occupier - not being the owner
NA
Tax Breaks
Are there tax breaks or other incentives for foreigners to buy real estate in your jurisdiction? If so, what are they?
We are not aware of any such tax breaks or incentives. (Please note the nationality restriction on land ownership, discussed above.)
How is the ownership of Real Estate evidenced in your jurisdiction?
Ownership or title to land is evidenced by an Original Certificate of Title or OCT (initial owner) or a Transfer Certificate of Title or TCT (all subsequent owners) issued by the Register of Deeds of the place where the land is located. On the other hand, ownership of condominium units is evidenced by a Condominium Certificate of Title or CCT issued by the Register of Deeds of the place where the condominium project is located. Ownership or title to buildings/ other immovable property is typically evidenced by a Tax Declaration issued by the City or Municipal Assessor of the city or municipality where the building/ immovable is located.
Is it possible to keep the identity of owners of real estate confidential in your jurisdiction?
The evidence of ownership or title to land and buildings as discussed above are considered public documents. They may be accessed at the office of the Register of Deeds or the City/ Municipal Assessor. In this context, the identity of the owners of real estate may not be kept confidential.