Credit Report 

Last two income tax returns or evidence of earnings (recent income letter signed by Certified Public Accountant), job letter certifying monthly or annual income and time of service, pay stubs, if income is derived form cash sales / investments, copy of 6 months bank accounts statements.

And / Or

Verification of personal assets (copy of the personal banking account statements, copy of certificates of deposits, shares, appraisal copies or real state titles, car registration cards, etc.

Other conditions to consider

For more information please call: 305-726-6642

Other means of obtaining a Visa:

We hope this helps you as a first step to obtaining your visa.

For legal help with obtaining a Visa we recommend Shirley and Associates Law Firm in Panama (all speak fluent English).

Shirley and Associates
ADR Tower, 13th Floor
Samuel Lewis Ave. & 58th E. St.
Obarrio, Panama City
Republic of Panama
Tel: +(507) 269-2255 / 264-8911
Fax: +(507) 269-1552 / 264-7033
E-mail: info@shirleylaw.com

REAL PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX
Sellers pay a real estate transfer tax when title is transferred to the purchaser. 
The tax rate is 2% of either the updated registered property value or the sales price, whichever is higher.  

The updated registered property value is the original purchase price (or value submitted to the Public Registry) plus 5% per annum of ownership.  

 Options: 

If the taxpayer selects the 2nd option no further taxes on the Capital Gains will be levied.   

PROPERTY TAXES
Properties with a registered value of $30,000 or less do not pay property taxes.

Properties of a higher value will pay property taxes as follows:
1.75% from $30,000 to $50,000
1.95% from $50,000 to $75,000
2.1% for any property valued over $75,000

Alternative Property Tax Calculation:  Under a 2005 amendment to the law, there is an alternative calculation: 

0.70% over the amount exceeding $30,000 to $50,000
0.90% from $50,000 to $75,000
1% of the amount exceeding $75,000

Note: This amounts to an approximate savings of 50% compared to the Regular Tax Rate.

Availability: The Alternative Property Tax calculation is only available on properties which are up to date with their property tax payments and the taxpayer presents a sworn declaration of the property's estimated value countersigned by an appraiser within one year of this law coming into effect (by June 30, 2006). The Tax Department (Cadastre) may or may not accept the proposed value. If it does, the Cadastre Department cannot change the value for at least 5 years.

Exemptions: There is a 20 year exemption applicable to buildings (both residential and commercial) but not for the land. This exemption is limited to projects that have a construction permit before September 1, 2005 and have an occupation permit before August 31, 2006. 

After those dates, the following exemptions will apply: 

For Houses:
• Value up to $100,000: 15-year exemption
• Value from $100,000 to $250,000: 10-year exemption
• Value over $250,000: 5-year exemption

For Commercial Buildings:
Any value of the building: 10-year exemption

The exemption is transferable during the exemption period to any new buyer.

The land itself is not exempted and will continue to incur property taxes if its value is above $30,000.
  

CAPITAL GAINS TAX
Panama has Capital Gains taxes.  The rates differ between individuals, real estate dealers, and corporations.

Individuals:  Individuals who are not real estate dealers (not in the business of buying & selling) will pay a flat 10% Capital Gains tax rate. You are allowed to sell real estate on an occasional basis without being classified as a professional real estate dealer who pays the higher rate.

Real Estate Dealers:  Individuals who are in the business of buying & selling real estate are considered "real estate dealers". Dealers will include the Capital Gain as normal income in their annual tax return and pay whatever level is being assessed as income taxes. This could be up to a 27% (maximum rate). 

Corporations: Corporations who sell real estate will pay a flat 30% Capital Gains tax rate.

Taxable Base:  Capital Gains taxes are determined by using a formula called "Taxable Base".  The costs incurred with purchasing and making improvements on your property are called "Cost Basis".  You determine Cost Basis by adding the purchase price + costs of improvements + Closing costs (purchase & sale).  If you acquired the property by inheritance or as a gift, the Cost Basis is the official Public Record of land value + value of the permanent structures on the day title transferred to you.

Here's another way of putting it: Capital Gains are determined by the difference between the sales price and the property's Basis plus sales expenses.

Payment: If you qualify for the flat 10% rate, you must pay it before the title transfer is registered with the Public Registry.

Tip: If the property is owned by a corporation, the corporation's shares can be sold (instead of the property), eliminating the need to pay the Capital Gains tax.