HOW TO PAY PROPERTY TAX IN CAMEROON
Property tax in Cameroon is paid annually on build up and non-
built-on estates that are found in main towns of administrative units in Cameroon. This also concerns:
- Built-on and non-built-on estates found in urban areas with infrastructure and amenities like tarred or earth road, electricity and water supply and/or telephone networks
- The property tax is levied on legal as well as natural persons who are in possession of non-built-on and built-on estates. This also include the de facto owners.
- In the case where a property is on a rehabilitation lease or in the case where it is subject of an authorization of a temporary occupation of a public domain, the property tax shall be issued in the name of the rehabilitation lessee or the person having the
authorization.
EXEMPTIONS FROM PROPERTY TAX IN CAMEROON
- State, regional and local authorities or public establishments that are not used for industrial or commercial purposes> Church, cultural or charity property if they are recognized to be of public interest and if the said property is used for nonprofit making activities
- Public or private school and hospital facilities
- Diplomatic missions’ property (this depends if there is reciprocity)
- Land used for farming, grazing, fishing etc.
- Educational and health institutions are exempted from paying property tax on immovable property that are used in carrying out activities. This exemption takes effect on condition that institution possess full ownership of the property. This means if property is leased, the property tax needs to be paid by th owners.
BASIS OF ASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY TAX IN CAMEROON
The property tax in Cameroon is determined by the value of lands and buildings declared by the owner. Failure on the part of the taxpayer to file in property tax returns or in the case where the taxpayer under-values the estate, the provisions of Section 546 (a) of the GTC.
THE PROPERTY TAX RATE IN CAMEROON
According to Section 581 line 1 of the General Tax Code of Cameroon, the property tax rate has been fixed at 0.1% of build-on or non-built-on property. At first, the additional council tax of 10% was added. This was cancelled in the finance law of 2013.
WHO PAYS PROPERTY TAX IN CAMEROON
Those liable for the property tax are owners and de facto of build-on and non-built-on property. The property tax is due on January 1 of the fiscal year in which it is being assessed. Settlement of the property tax shall be voluntarily done on or before the June 30 upon the declaration of the taxpayer or his/her trustee.
PROPERTY TAX PLACE OF ASSESSMENT
The property tax returns in Cameroon are filed and paid at the tax centre where the property is located. In the case of companies that are under the Specialized Management Unit, their property tax is paid exclusively by bank transfer or a certified check. Note that the 2013 finance law cancelled out the additional council tax of 10% that was applied.
Article by CHUO ANGABUA JUNIOR
‘’The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. We insist specialist advice be sought depending on your specific circumstance’’
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