Legal and tax issues in which owners fall, suffering losses
Unfortunately, there are frequent cases when, using the owner's ignorance and trust, incorrect and disadvantageous contracts are concluded for the landowner, resulting in losses or failure to obtain the highest possible profit.
The Timbro Rural Advisory Center recommends being careful with these legal contract forms:
- Cash and cash agreement – never take cash, it is a trap and a scare tactic that will prevent you from withdrawing from the deal. At Timbro, we have experienced many cases where, by threatening that the cash will have to be repaid several times over, owners are forced to sell properties disadvantageously. First, the law stipulates that the repayment of cash cannot be greater than double the amount, secondly, our experience shows that often repaying the cash even in double the amount is more profitable than selling to an intermediary losing 50%!
- Timber harvesting rights sales contract - often this form is confused with a cutting area sales contract, but it is not the same thing! Harvesting rights allow the owner of this contract to basically do whatever he wants on the property, which relates to what and how much to cut on the property. Accordingly, it may be a surprise to find out that much more has been cut on the property than you imagined would be cut.
- Many resellers talk about the possibility of saving on taxes by dividing the purchase into two contracts - one for biological assets, the other for property purchase. If this is done with one legal entity, then it is a violation of the law, and the VID (State Revenue Service) can impose a fine and make you pay taxes in triple amount. There is also a risk that you simply will not be paid for the biological assets!
Do not be afraid to defend your rights and, if necessary, contact the relevant institutions or call Timbro and we will help you resolve any difficulty. Beware of local resellers who, by rushing, deceiving and psychological pressure, try to get you to sell the property, as a result of which you will lose 30-50%!