The Ministry of Finance reminded foreign nationals to file property tax returns within 30 days of transfer completion.
The National Taxation Bureau of Taipei, Ministry of Finance states that any individual, whether a Taiwanese or foreign national, who has income or loss derived from transactions of house and land acquired on or after 1 January 2016 will have to file an individual house and land transactions income tax return in accordance with the Income Tax Act within 30 days from the following day of the day on which the house and land ownership transfer registration is completed.
This announcement was made by Taiwan’s Ministry of Finance on 1 October 2025.
The Bureau explains that the house and land transactions income tax operates under a self-assessment system. Foreign taxpayers engaged in property transactions under Article 4-4 of the Income Tax Act shall file tax returns within the aforementioned deadline, regardless of tax liability. They must submit photocopies of contracts and any relevant documents to the National Taxation Bureau having jurisdiction over the address listed on their Alien Resident Certificate at the time of filing. Those who fail to file tax returns within the statutory deadline shall be subject to penalties under Article 108-2 of the Income Tax Act.
The Bureau provides the following example: Foreign non-resident Person A acquired a property for a total cost of TWD 20 million in February 2020 and sold the property for TWD 24 million in March 2024, with the transfer registration completed on 3 May 2024. However, Person A did not file the house and land transaction income tax return within the required 30-day period from the following day of transfer registration, missing the 2 June deadline of that year. After the Bureau’s determination of a tax deficiency, the additional tax due TWD 1.12 million has been assessed (transaction price TWD 24 million – deductible costs and transfer expenses TWD 20.3 million – total land value increment TWD 0.5 million) × tax rate 35%. Moreover, Person A was subjected to a fine of TWD 560,000 for this failure to comply with regulations.
The Bureau would like to remind foreign nationals who transfer properties subject to house and land transactions income tax to file returns within 30 days from the following day of: the completion of property ownership transfer registration; the house utilization right transaction date; or the presale house transaction date, regardless of whether there is any tax payable. In cases where a tax return has not been filed, it is advisable to file a supplementary return promptly before being identified by the tax authority. If there is a tax obligation, please include the appropriate interest and make a voluntary supplementary payment to avoid incurring any penalties.
