9年来首降！个人购房2年以下增值税税率降至3%

Core Viewpoint - The Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation announced a reduction in the value-added tax (VAT) rate for individuals selling residential properties, effective January 1, 2026, which aims to lower transaction costs in the real estate market [1][2][3]. Group 1: Policy Changes - Individuals selling properties purchased for less than two years will be subject to a VAT rate of 3%, down from the previous rate of 5% [1][3]. - Properties held for two years or more will be exempt from VAT [1][3]. - This marks the first adjustment to the VAT rate for personal housing sales since the comprehensive "business tax to VAT" reform in 2016 [5][10]. Group 2: Impact on Transaction Costs - For a property sold at 2 million yuan, the VAT payable will decrease from 100,000 yuan to 60,000 yuan, resulting in a savings of 40,000 yuan in transaction costs [4]. - The reduction in transaction costs is expected to stimulate demand and reduce the need for significant price reductions in property sales [5]. Group 3: Market Context - Recent statistics indicate a decline in both the sales area and sales amount of new residential properties, with second-hand housing prices experiencing a more significant drop compared to new homes [7]. - The adjustment in VAT is seen as a measure to alleviate the pressure on the real estate market, which has been facing weak expectations and a slowdown in new home transactions [7][9]. Group 4: Future Expectations - Analysts suggest that the VAT reduction could help unblock the "sell old to buy new" chain, which has been hindered by high transaction costs [8]. - There is an expectation of further tax policy optimizations in the real estate sector, including potential adjustments to deed tax, personal income tax, property tax, and land value-added tax [13].