Published by the National Association of REALTORS Read here
FIRPTA Withholding Rate Increasing to 15%
Β The recently-enacted Protecting American Taxpayers from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act (H.R. 2029, P.L. 114-113) includes two NAR-supported provisions affecting the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) that are estimated to boost significantly foreign investment in U.S. commercial real estate.Β However, as part of a package of tax changes to offset the cost of the two provisions, Congress also included an increase in the FIRPTA withholding rate from 10% to 15%.Β But property acquired from foreign persons that is to be used as a personal residence is exempt from the increase if the sales price does not exceed $1 million.
An explanation of the changes to the FIRPTA rules by NARβs Washington staff was recently released and can be found here(link is external).