How long is the compliance certificate valid for?
Your property tax compliance certificate is valid for six (6) months however, if you have made a payment arrangement with a Collections officer, the officer usually makes it valid for three (3) months.
Can I download the form for compliance from the website?
Yes, you can now download the form and notes on supporting documents. Please note that for some transactions a property tax officer will also need to interview you in order to process your certificate accurately.
If I own no property do I need a compliance certificate?
Answer: Yes, your financial institution/lawyer will make you apply for compliance certificate for property tax whether or not you own property.
How long does the objection response take?
Within 20 working days
How long does the Exemption take?
Within 20 working days
What time during the year do Assessments go out?
We try to send them out as close to your anniversary date as possible; (i.e. the date you received your first assessment); however, you may get it a little earlier or later due to circumstances beyond our control.
How long does the offsetting process take?
The time frame of the refunds offsetting process is mainly due to the availability of funds, once funds are available the offsetting process normally takes three (3) weeks.
What happens if I fail to furnish Inland Revenue with a declaration form?
If we did not capture information on your property during our island wide visit a few years ago, we will schedule a site visit with you and will value your property and thereafter generate assessments.
I am over sixty and renting an apartment downstairs my residence, will I qualify for a property tax pension exemption?
No. Consequent to changes in the Land & House Tax Act, pension exemptions no longer apply.
I am a business owner, how do I begin to pay property tax?
The obligation is incumbent upon the owner to first submit a Commercial Valuation report to the Inland Revenue Department. Where an owner of commercial property submits a valuation report, the Comptroller may accept such report and make an assessment in accordance therewith. Where the Comptroller is not satisfied that the report furnished by any owner of commercial property is true and correct, he or she may make an assessment to the best of his or her judgment and to that end, he or she may cause a valuation to be made of the said property. The tax liability is then generated from the Open Market Value of the property.
Where do I pay my Property Tax?
At the Inland Revenue Department or the district councils offices in which the land/house liable are/is situated.
Who do I make a cheque, money order or bank draft payable to?
All cheques or money order should be made payable to the Accountant General.
Do I receive a receipt after making my property tax payment?
Yes an electronic or manual receipt should be given to you by the cashier or revenue clerk
What is the collection fee?
A penalty for not paying your property taxes on time
How is market value determined?
When determining the market value for a particular property, assessors consider each property’s unique characteristics. These are the same characteristics that a home buyer would consider, including size, layout, shape, age, finish, quality, number of carports, garages, sundecks, and condition of buildings. Services in the area, location, views and neighbourhood may influence a property’s market value.
Assessors may enter a home to conduct property inspections, ensuring that the description and condition of a property is accurately reflected on the property tax assessment notice. Assessors analyze all property tax sales in St. Lucia and develop common units of comparison and corresponding values. The review similarities and differences between properties to arrive at a uniform assessed value for a particular property.
Why are assessments based on market value?
Market value assessment is widely considered to be the fairest system for distributing the property tax burden.
In any tax area, properties of equal value contribute the same tax, while higher-value properties contribute more than those with lower values. Both assessors and taxpayers can readily check assessments by comparing recent sales and assessment of similar properties in the neighbourhood.