INDIVIDUAL TAXATION

Residents are taxed on their worldwide income. Married couples are taxed separately.

INCOME TAX

There are several categories of income in Croatia: (1) employment income, (2) self-employment income, (3) income from property and property rights (i.e. leasing immovable property) and capital gains from immovable property and rights in such property, (4) income from capital, (5) income from insurance, and (6) other income.

Taxable income for each category is calculated as gross income less allowable deductions. Income tax is levied at progressive rates. The following tax bands apply as of 01 March 2012.

The following tax bands apply until February 2012.

Municipalities are authorized to introduce a surcharge on the income tax at rates between 10% and 30%, depending on the number of inhabitants. The actual highest rate of the surcharge is currently 18% (e.g. in Zagreb).

Residents are entitled to the following deductions:

• Up to HRK12,000 (€1,591) annually for various expenses
• Insurance premiums
• Donations for cultural, educational, scientific, healthcare, humanitarian, sport and religious purposes; up to 2% of the taxpayer´s income reported in the preceding year

In addition, residents can avail of the following monthly allowances:

• Basic personal allowance of HRK1,800 (€237) for each resident taxpayer
• Personal allowance of HRK3,200 (US$424) for each retired individual
• 50% of the basic personal allowance for a dependent spouse or other close family member
• For dependent children:

RENTAL INCOME
Rental income is taxed at the progressive income tax rates. Taxable rental income is computed by deducting income-generating expenses from the gross rent.

Taxpayers may choose to have their rental income taxed as business income, subject to certain qualifications.

CAPITAL GAINS TAX

Capital gains from the sale of immovable property are subject to a flat withholding tax rate of 25%. Allowable deductions are the acquisition cost of the property as adjusted by inflation and the fees incurred in the transfer.

The sale of real estate is exempt from capital gains tax if (1) the sale took place more than three years from the date of purchase, or (2) if the property was used as the residence of the taxpayer and/or dependent members of the taxpayer’s family, (3) or the sale was directly connected with a divorce or an inheritance.

VALUE ADDED TAX (VAT)

VAT is waived on the leasing of housing premises.

PROPERTY TAX

Tax on Holiday Homes

Tax on holiday homes are payable by owners of holiday homes in Croatia. The tax is levied on the useful area of the property. The tax is HRK5 (€0.66) to HRK15 (€2) per square meter, depending on the municipality or town where the property is located.

CORPORATE TAXATION

INCOME TAX

Income and capital gains are taxed at subject to regular profits tax of 20%. Income-generating expenses are deductible when calculating taxable income.

For rental income, allowable deductions include investment, maintenance of buildings, management services, leases and rentals, depreciation costs, and financing costs such as interest payments. A 15% withholding tax is also levied on interest payments.

Depreciation is allowable as a business expense for both income and profit tax.  Straight line depreciation is allowed on most long-life assets. Buildings command an annual depreciation rate ranging from 2.5% (regular depreciation rate) to 10% (accelerated depreciation), and a depreciation period from 40 to 10 years, respectively.

For capital gains, allowable deductions include acquisition cost of the property as adjusted by inflation and the fees incurred in the transfer are deductible.