General

Land Tax is a property tax charged on all developed land throughout Bermuda with some exceptions. The tax is charged under the authority of the Land Tax Act 1967 and the Land Valuation and Tax Act 1967.

Scope

Land Tax is assessed on the annual rental value (ARV) of each valuation unit, depending on whether such unit is a private dwelling or any other dwelling. The owner of a valuation unit is liable for Land Tax.

Exemptions

No tax shall be charged, levied or collected on any valuation unit declared by the Minister of Finance by order published in the Gazette to be exempt from tax or exempted from tax under any other statutory provision.

Tax Period

Tax period means the six month period beginning January 1 and July 1 of each year. Land Tax is billed twice a year in January and July, and is payable in March and September.

Rates

Rate of tax - Private Dwellings

Private dwelling units are taxed on a progressive scale of tax rates. There are six annual rental value bands with the following rates of tax:

Pensioners

Bermudians who are sixty-five years or over who own and occupy a private dwelling are exempt from Land Tax on the unit they occupy.

Rate of tax - Commercial Properties

Commercial properties are taxed on a single rate of tax of 4.4%.

Payment

Every person who is the owner of a valuation unit is required to pay Land Tax twice a year by the date specified in the Demand Note issued by the Tax Commissioner.

Interest

If Land Tax is not paid by the date specified in the Demand Note as the due date, interest calculated on a monthly basis at 7% will apply at the end of the month and every month thereafter on any outstanding balance.

Note

The information contained on this page is merely a guide for the taxpayer and is not a comprehensive statement of the Legislative requirements. These requirements are contained primarily in the Land Tax Act 1967 and the Land Valuation and Tax Act 1967.  Bermuda Laws Online can be accessed at www.bermudalaws.bm. 

Enquiries

Further enquiries may be made by contacting us.

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