Revised Laws of Saint Lucia (2021)

28.   Exemption: interest from housing mortgages

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    (1)   Subject to this section, where any person whether resident in Saint Lucia or not, lends money to any other person by way of mortgage in connection with the purchase, construction or reconstruction of residential accommodation in Saint Lucia, either for owner occupancy or for rental purposes, there is exempt from tax any income accruing to the mortgagee by way of interest on the loan secured by, and any service charge payable under such mortgage.

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    (2)   The mortgage referred to in subsection (1) is a mortgage in respect of which the rate of interest and service charge do not exceed 11% and the exemption only applies where the mortgage does not exceed $150,000.

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    (3)   Where the rate of interest and service charge or the amount of the mortgage exceed the limits specified in subsection (2), the income which is exempt from tax is such proportion of the total income accruing as—

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      (a)     the rate of 11% bears to the total interest and service charge payable; or

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      (b)     the sum of $150,000 bears to the total amount of the mortgage, in the income year or where both limits are exceeded, the lesser thereof.

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    (4)   Where interest accrues to a resident company by way of interest or service charge which is exempt from tax under this section, such exempt income may be distributed by way of dividend to the shareholders and any distribution so made, whether during the period of exemption or at any subsequent time, subject to section 31 is exempt from tax in the hands of the shareholders.

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    (5)   The rate of interest and service charge and the mortgage limit specified in subsection (2) may be varied by order made by statutory instrument by the Minister.