Today, the Board of Directors of the Indirect Taxation Authority finally adopted the amendment to the Rulebook, which will enable the return of VAT when purchasing the first real estate, it was confirmed for Klix.ba.
The Rulebook will be applied after its publication in the Official Gazette of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and everyone who bought their first real estate will have the right to submit a request to the Administration for a VAT refund by the end of this year, along with submitting the necessary documentation.
The law enabling the refund of VAT when buying the first real estate came into force in April last year, but in order to start applying it, it was necessary for the ITA Board to make changes to the Rulebook. That process lasted due to various political obstructions in the Management Board, ultimatums and blockages of the work of the Management Board.
Almost a year and a half later, all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina will have the opportunity to buy their first real estate in a new building without paying the amount of VAT, which will significantly facilitate the provision of housing for citizens.
The Minister of Finance and Treasury of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Srđan Amidžić, confirmed last month that all those who registered after April 12, 2025 will have the right to a VAT refund, regardless of the fact that the rulebook was not adopted earlier.
Therefore, the right to a VAT refund will be available to all adult citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina (natural persons) with permanent residence in Bosnia and Herzegovina who buy an apartment or residential real estate for the first time in a new building.
Please note that VAT is not paid for real estate in old buildings, with the exception of a five percent tax for real estate transactions.
