HIBAPRESS – Abdellatif Baraka
In a move described as bold and decisive, the General Directorate of Taxes announced the adoption of an additional registration fee of 2% on certain real estate and commercial transactions, within the framework of activating the provisions of the 2026 Finance Law, with the aim of curbing undeclared cash transactions and enhancing transparency within a market that has been suffering from the spread of the "black market" for years.
According to consistent professional data, this new fee will be applied when registering contracts for the acquisition of real estate or the transfer of real rights that exceed a value of 300,000 dirhams, in addition to the transfer of commercial assets regardless of their value, when the method of payment is not clearly specified, or if the price is paid in full or in part in cash. – When is the new fee imposed? The tax increase will be activated in two main cases, the first: Failure to specify the payment method and its references accurately within the sale contract. The second is when resorting to cash payment, where only 2% is calculated on the portion paid in cash. In contrast, contractors are exempt from this additional fee if the payment is made through traceable banking or financial means, such as non-negotiable checks, bank transfers, bills of exchange, electronic payment methods or clearing. – A clear message to manipulators.. Goodbye to cash in real estate Professionals in documentation and experts in real estate law believe that this measure constitutes a qualitative shift in the philosophy of market control, as the focus is no longer only on collecting tax, but on imposing clear and provable financial paths, which limits disputes and protects the weaker party in the contractual relationship, especially buyers. Followers also consider that the new fee represents a direct blow to the "black market" phenomenon, which relied on cash payment outside official contracts, benefiting from the difficulty of tracking and the weakness of means of proof. – Entry into force This measure is expected to come into effect starting from July 1, 2026, based on the provisions of Article 133-I-III of the General Tax Code, at a time when the financial authorities are betting that the decision will contribute to reducing undeclared transactions, and improving the climate of confidence within the real estate market. Between a supporter who considers it a necessary reform, and a conservative who sees it as an additional burden, it remains certain that the Moroccan real estate market is entering a new phase with the title: Transparency first, and cash under the microscope.
