Up to 300% Increase in Property Taxes in Malaga in 2009
Thirteen local councils in Málaga province will revise and update the cadastral values (valor catastral) of properties within their limits, translating into increases which range from 80% to 300%. It is expected that the increase for residential properties will be no more than an average of 150%.
The increase in cadastral value is quite significant (http://www NULL.surinenglish NULL.com/20080830/news/costasol-malaga/catastral-revaluations-threaten-send-200808301344 NULL.html), as this figure is a benchmark which is used in calculating various taxes in Spain, such as IBI Tax, IIVT (or Plusvalía Municipal Tax), Wealth and Income Tax and the dreaded Inheritance Tax. The cadastral value, which is generally well below the true market value of real estate, is regularly updated every decade or so, as not to significantly detach the taxable values from those of the market. The single most important factor that raises or lowers the cadastral value is the appreciation or depreciation in value of the land.
In the Málaga province these updates were carried in general in the 80s and mid 90s. The municipalities of Alfarnate, Arenas, Atajate, Benamargosa, Benaoján, Cútar, El Burgo, Cuevas de San Marcos, Gaucín, Jubrique, Málaga (city) Totalán and Abdalajís Valley will all be updating the cadastral value of real estate in their territory. In some of these towns the cadastral value hasn’t been updated since 1989 such as in El Burgo or Gaucín. IBI tax may well even triple in these municipalities as from next year.
Important cities in Málaga province such as Estepona or Vélez Málaga (http://www NULL.surinenglish NULL.com/20080830/news/costasol-malaga/increases-anger-residents-velez-200808301347 NULL.html) already updated their cadastral values last year. However many other towns will also have to update them soon, such as Marbella (unrevised since 1988), Alhaurín de la Torre (1996), Benahavís (1996), Campillos (1996), Cártama (2000), Manilva (1997), Rincón de la Victoria (1999), Ronda (1998) or Torrox (2000).
Most owners have IBI tax set as a standing order against their Spanish bank accounts. Make sure that you have enough funds in your bank account before this tax is due (normally between June and September). Regarding Property Income tax (Property Wealth Tax is due to disappear next year), your solicitor will let you know how much this figure is.