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I hope you can suggest something Nigel!

We have a villa at Aphrodite Hills, 1980 value e89,000. We are therefore within the boundaries of Kouklia Community Council. As you are propably aware, Secret Valley also falls within the purview of Kouklia.

We have been issued with Community Charge invoices for 2013. For our villa we are being asked for e750 plus e75 for refuse. (We have already paid the local IPT of e89).
Residents of Secret Valley are being asked for something in the region of e450 plus refuse.

Any other resident of Kouklia district has been invoiced for between e50 and e75. I have been told of one exception to this, a large Russian owned villa just outside the village has been asked for e300. His close, Cypriot neighbour, with an equally impressive villa, has been asked for e50.

We know these are difficult times for local communities, but surely such a large disparity is not legal. There must be legislation governing how these figures are reached.

Have you any suggestions as to how we can go about getting a modicum of fairness?
The Paphos District Officer has been bombarded with letters of protest, but from experience, it will be many months before replies are forthcoming, and payment is due at the end of December.
Do you know what is happening in other Community Councils?

Hello Morrismen and welcome to the forum.

There have been a few reports about this problem:

EU to investigate community tax discrimination claims.

Cyprus expats outraged at paying more tax than locals.

It may be worthwhile contacting Ray Smith - he was elected to the Kouklia Council last year - see Ray Smith elected to Kouklia Community Council.

I can't comment on what other Communities are charging - but here is a letter I received from my Community Office in Erimi last year. I expect there'll be a letter detailing this year's taxes waiting for me when I get back to Cyprus on Sunday.

• Criteria for Community Service Taxes 2012
  
  A. All households in possession of only the house in which they live will be taxed at €100 /year.
  
  B. Pensioners (social pensions, old age and disability pensions)
  • 1) Households with pensions not exceeding €850/month will be taxed at €25/year
    2) Households with pensions of €851 - €1200/monthly will be taxed at €50/year
    3) Households with pensions of €1201-€1700/monthly will be taxed at €60/year and
    4) Households with pensions of over €1701/monthly and will be taxed at €80/year
  To be able to benefit from the tax reduction above all recipients of pensions must have their pension as their only income, and the only property owned the house in which they live in.
  
  C. People over 80 years old who have as their only income their pension and do not have other property other than the house they live in, will not be taxed.
  
  D. Holders of Vacation homes will be taxed at €60/year.
  
  E. Not married individuals who work and are over 21 years old and living with their parents, will be taxed at €50/year.
  
  F. Residents of the Community more than three months during the tax year (1/1-31/12) will normally be taxed (community services) for the whole year. For shorter (less than three months) will be taxed in proportion.
  
  G. Families with four children and over will benefit a 25% discount.
  
  Additional charge in the amount of €100 per year for Community Services is as below:
  
  A. Houses that maintain swimming pool will be taxed in addition €20/year.
  
  B. Holders of a second house which is unoccupied will be taxed in addition to €20/year.
  
  C. PLOTS:
  
  • 1. Residents of Erimi who hold plots within the Community will be taxed additionally with €10 per year for each plot.
    
    2. Non Residents of Erimi who hold plots within the Community will be taxed additionally with €55 per year for each plot.

(The above applies to all households regardless of their nationality.)

Regards,

Hi Morrismen

I guess you saw the article in yesterday's Sunday Mail? I suggest that all of those affected continue to bombard the Paphos District office - and the ombudswoman - see http://www.ombudsman.gov.cy/ombudsman/o ... n?OpenForm

I've just returned from the UK and have been going through my snail-mail. My local taxes are as follows:

Community charge - €65
Rubbish collection - €100
Local property tax - €150

Total - €315

(1980 value of my property is €60,000).

Regards,