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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/20/portugal-homes-with-sea-views-face-higher-tax-to-improve-fiscal-outlook
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| Portugal homes with sea views face higher tax to improve fiscal outlook Portugal homes with sea views face higher tax to improve fiscal outlook | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| People buying a home in Portugal that has unspoilt sea views or faces the sun may be hit by a 20% increase in property tax, under fiercely contested fiscal changes which became law on Monday. | People buying a home in Portugal that has unspoilt sea views or faces the sun may be hit by a 20% increase in property tax, under fiercely contested fiscal changes which became law on Monday. |
| Those with a place overlooking a cemetery or water treatment plant may enjoy a tax reduction of up to 10%. | Those with a place overlooking a cemetery or water treatment plant may enjoy a tax reduction of up to 10%. |
| The percentage increase or fall is at the discretion of the local council, which applies the levy, as part of changes pushed through by the Socialist government. | The percentage increase or fall is at the discretion of the local council, which applies the levy, as part of changes pushed through by the Socialist government. |
| “It’s based on social justice,” says party spokesman Joao Galamba. “People object when someone living in a basement and someone living on the top floor with a great view each have to pay exactly the same tax.” | “It’s based on social justice,” says party spokesman Joao Galamba. “People object when someone living in a basement and someone living on the top floor with a great view each have to pay exactly the same tax.” |
| The initial plan was to impose the increase on property of any value. However, an amendment devised by Communist MP Paulo Sá means it will affect only those homes with a so-called fiscal value of €250,000 (£210,000) – a tiny fraction of the property market, he said. | The initial plan was to impose the increase on property of any value. However, an amendment devised by Communist MP Paulo Sá means it will affect only those homes with a so-called fiscal value of €250,000 (£210,000) – a tiny fraction of the property market, he said. |
| In addition, the change applies only to new purchases and to homes that owners have asked to be valued. | In addition, the change applies only to new purchases and to homes that owners have asked to be valued. |
| Ernesto Pinto, a tax specialist at the consumers’ association Deco, said: “We are totally against this measure. It’s based on subjective criteria. The view from a home depends on the individual’s perception.” | Ernesto Pinto, a tax specialist at the consumers’ association Deco, said: “We are totally against this measure. It’s based on subjective criteria. The view from a home depends on the individual’s perception.” |
| Antonio Farias Marque, the head of the National Association of Property Owners, said: “The signs are that the next step will be to tax the air we breathe.” | Antonio Farias Marque, the head of the National Association of Property Owners, said: “The signs are that the next step will be to tax the air we breathe.” |