According to article 104 LRHL, the municipal plusvalue is calculated based on the cadastral value of the property and the time elapsed in the possession of the seller or donor or deceased. In the case of a sale, the surplus value must be paid by the seller, but not in the case of a donation or succession in which the donee (who receives the donation) or the inheritor are the ones who must pay. In this way, the cases of transmission in losses would be exempt of payment, continuing in force in the other cases.

In another blog ("PLUSVALUE TAX - THE DEEDS OF PURCHASE AND THE DEED OF SALE CAN PROVE THE DEPRECIATION OF THE PROPERTY") we said: "It is important to note that the increase in the value of the land is objectively fixed because this fact has been questioned by the contentious justice -administrative, in this case the High Court of Justice of the Valencian Community. That is, if the increase in the value of the land has not actually occurred, there is no taxable event. The problem in these cases is to prove that such an increase has not occurred." Now the TC that has picked up this position, contradicting that of the State Attorney that considered that the increase should be based on the cadastral value (objectively calculated by the City Halls and always increasing, based on the improvements made in the area of ​​the Property by municipalities) and not in the real value.

In cases of losses, the first case to claim the tax is the submission of a letter requesting rectification and return of improper income to the Town Hall (stating, if applicable, the amount paid). At this time the administrative way is opened and the municipal authority must answer in one way or another (probably refusing the return). Then, once the administrative route is finished, the contentious-administrative route is opened with more guarantees to be properly heard.

Of course, before acting before the contentious-administrative Courts, it is advisable to consider whether it is worth doing it, taking into account the possibilities that we have and the expenses that must be incurred. In any case, it is understood that we have to pay and then claim the return (this is how the administrative procedure works).

As for the contentious-administrative procedure, the deadline to sue it is two months from the final decision in administrative proceedings. As we said in previous blogs, there are more and more sentences that annul the tax settlements (plusvalue tax included) even if a second instance (appeal) has to be reached. It is likely that as a consequence of the ruling of the TC will generate a large number of requests for refunding.

Recall that it is the citizen who has the burden of proof to prove that there has been a depreciation. In this sense, the jurisprudence of the High Courts of Justice (as in the case of the Valencian Community) have already been acknowledging that the Deeds are sufficient evidence of depreciation. Hence, this is an important advantage in this regard. The ruling of the TC does not refer to the retroactivity of its effects but the logical thing would be to think that it will be applicable when the liquidations practiced are not firm because they have been appealed at the time or if it is a question of self-assessments that has not prescribed the possibility of urging Rectification for more than four years from the end of the deadline for submission. Those who have paid municipal capital gains in the last four years could ask for refunding the tax if the conditions are fulfilled.

See what happens in the near future.