The Notarial Council said today that a Budget measure aimed at simplifying tax on property transfers has become a complex set of different rates and exceptions.

The council was referring to the latest amendments made last week to the Budget Measures Implementation Bill where it referred to property tax transfer.

The council said it had not been consulted about the amendments.

“Almost five months after the Budget speech, notaries have not yet been put in a position to give a proper reply when potential sellers or buyers enquire about their final tax liability,” the council said.

“These latest amendments affect the detailed workings of the property transfer tax, introduce further exceptions to the new 8% final rate and stipulate a retroactive cut-off date, thus rendering advice given by notaries during the past months incorrect.”

Yet notaries were still held liable for any miscalculation of tax due, the council said.

It said many grey areas were continuing to emerge, even though the law had now been passed.