Tax on property income in Luxembourg

Individual taxation

Nonresidents are liable to tax on income originating from Luxembourg. Married couples can file jointly or separately. Since Luxembourg has a complicated tax system, which based on your marital status and other factors, we have shown a tax range instead of a calculated percentage. Please see below for more information.

Income Tax

There are several categories of income: (1) trade or business income, (2) income from agriculture and forestry, (3) income from self-employment, (4) income from employment, (5) income from pensions and annuities, (6) income from movable property, (7) rental income, and (8) miscellaneous income.

Income is taxed at progressive rates. In computing the taxable income, income-generating expenses can be deducted from the gross income.

Taxpayers are classified into three main classes.


CLASS CATEGORY

Class Description
Class 1 single individuals, separated individuals or divorced individuals without children
Class 1a individuals 65 years old or older, widowed o living along with dependants in their household
Class 3 married couples jointly assessed and for partners having concluded a partnership contract and who asks for joint taxation
Source: Global Property Guide

INCOME TAX FOR CLASS 1

Taxable Income (€) Tax Rate (%) Tax Rate including Surcharge (%)
First 11,265 0 0
Next 1,872 8 8.56
Next 1,872 9 9.63
Next 1,872 10 10.70
Next 1,872 11 11.77
Next 1,872 12 12.84
Next 1,944 14 14.98
Next 1,944 16 17.12
Next 1,944 18 19.26
Next 1,944 20 21.40
Next 1,944 22 23.54
Next 1,944 24 25.68
Next 1,944 26 27.82
Next 1,944 28 29.96
Next 1,944 30 32.10
Next 1,944 32 34.24
Next 1,944 34 36.38
Next 1,944 36 38.52
Next 1,944 38 40.66
Next 54,105 39 41.73
Next 49,998 40 42.80
Next 50,004 41 44.69
Balance over 200,004 42 45.78
Source: Global Property Guide

For Class 1a taxpayers, the 42% (45.78%) rate of income tax applies on taxable incomes of €200 004 and above.

For Class 2 taxpayers, the tax payable is twice the total tax payable on one-half of the taxable income.


Rental Income

Taxable rental income realized from leasing properties may be computed in either of the two ways:

  • Itemized Deduction. All expenses related to property such as management agent´s commission, maintenance and repair costs, insurance, mortgage and interest payments, property tax, and insurance premiums are deducted from the gross rent. Straight-line depreciation is also deductible, though land is not depreciable. Rates of depreciation are between 2% to 6%.
  • Standard Deduction. A standard deduction of 35% of the gross annual rental income with a maximum of €2,700 is available instead. This deduction includes maintenance and repair costs, insurance premiums, and depreciation (not including debt interest on loans used to finance the property).

Capital Gains

Luxembourg taxes and costsCapital gains realized through selling the real property within two years of acquisition are considered speculative gains and taxed at the standard income tax rate or 45.78%. The taxable gain is computed by deducting the acquisition price and incidental costs (agents’ commissions, fees to notaries, surveyors, advisers, etc.) from the selling price. No other deductions are allowed.

If the property is held for more than two years, capital gains are taxed at 50% of the overall tax rate or 22.89%. The taxable gain is computed by deducting the acquisition price and incidental costs from the selling price. In this case, the purchase price is adjusted by official coefficients to account for inflation during the period of ownership.

Furthermore, a single taxpayer will be entitled to a deduction of €50,000 for non-speculative capital gains. The amount is doubled if the property is owned by a married couple filing jointly. This allowance is available every ten years.

If the property was obtained by inheritance (direct line), the tax deduction can be increased by €75,000. The taxpayers can also defer the payment of capital gains tax if they decide to re-invest the money in a new property that will be rented out.


PROPERTY TAX

Municipal Ground Tax

A property in Luxembourg is subject to municipal ground tax which is levied annually at 0.7% to 1% of its assessed unit value (usually lower than its actual market value). The tax amount based from the preceding computation is further multiplied by a municipal coefficient that is between 120% and 900% depending on the municipality. The property´s unit value, basic tax rate and the municipal coefficients depend on the property´s classification such as size, age, site, and economic use.