Bahamas - Apply for Real Property Tax Exemptions

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Procedure

Apply In-Person:

1. A person desirous of applying for Real Property Tax Exemption must approach the Ministry of Finance’s Revenue Unit. Link to Contacts : Link
2. Next, obtain the application form for Tax Concession - Link to Application Form
3. Fill in the form with required details and be sure to check the “Real Property Tax Exemption” box in the form.
4. Submit the completed application form along with the originals and copies of supporting documents to the Revenue offices.
5. Family islands applicants can submit the application to the local administrator and collect approvals/rejection from the local administration office.
6. A representative from the Ministry of Finance’s Revenue Unit will review the application and, if necessary, request omitted information and documentation.
7. The committee will then review your application and set up an appointment to conduct a site visit.
8. The applicant must accompany inspector for the site visit.
9. The Special Project Coordinating Committee for the Preservation of Historical Properties will then convene and review the application and the relevant supporting documents.
10. The Ministry will contact the applicant via phone to inform them that the document is ready for collection.
11. The Ministry will hold the document for one day after which the approval/rejection is mailed out to applicant.
12. Once approved the owner receives a certificate that states that they are exempted from property tax for twenty years.
13. If rejected the owner is required to pay the normal duties as prescribed in the Real Properties Act.

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Required Documents

• Application for Tax Concession - Applicant must check the Real Property Tax Exemption box of the form. Link to Application Form
• Historical Building Certificate

Office Locations & Contacts

Ministry of FinanceSecretary for RevenueRevenue Unit
3rd FL. Cecil Wallace-Whitfield Centre
Cable Beach
P. O. Box N 3017
Nassau,
Bahamas,
E-mail: [email protected]
Opening Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, except public holidays.
Website: Link
Local Administrator Offices: Link

Eligibility

• An owner of a historical site, land mark of significant to Bahamian History or parcel of land can apply for this exemption.
• The building must be registered on the National Register of Historical Buildings.

Fees

There is no related fee for this service.

Validity

This exemption is valid for 20 years or the remaining year of your Historical Building Certificate. Example: if the approval is secured in year 18 of your certificate then it ends on the 31st December of the 20th year.

Documents to Use

Application Form:
Link

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

Within two weeks from the date submission of a completed application.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
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Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
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sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
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e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

• Entities not eligible to receive an exemption from custom duty will be notified when they collect their documents at the Office or in the mail.
• Applicant can contact the Revenue Office to inquire as to the reason for their ineligibility.

Required Information

• Applicant Details
• Owner Details
• Property Details
• Location
• Occupation
• Classification
• Number of resources within the property
• Scope of works and estimated cost of repairs
• Status of building plans
• Attestation of the owner
• Owner/Agent signature
• Date

Need for the Document

The procedure is done in order to be exempted from paying property tax for a period twenty years.

Information which might help

• All building registered on the National Register of Historical Buildings are eligible for exemption from real property tax.
• Exemptions are not automatic and must be applied for even when your property is listed on the Historical Buildings List.
• Click on the following links for more useful information: Link 1 and Link 2

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

Link

Others

More information which might help people.