RETT on Off-Plan Property Sales in Saudi Arabia | Dariba.co<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"How RETT applies to off-plan property sales in Saudi Arabia \u2014 the special due date rule, developer obligations, re-sales before completion, and the interaction with REGA regulations.\">\n<link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\">\n<link href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=DM+Sans:wght@400;500;600;700;800&display=swap\" rel=\"stylesheet\">\n<style>:root{--green:#059669;--green-dim:#ecfdf5;--green-border:#6ee7b7;--amber:#d97706;--amber-light:#fffbeb;--amber-border:#fcd34d;--blue:#2563eb;--blue-light:#eff6ff;--blue-border:#93c5fd;--text-primary:#111827;--text-muted:#6b7280;--border:#e5e7eb;--surface:#f9fafb;--surface-2:#f3f4f6;--radius:8px;--radius-lg:12px}.dariba-article{font-family:'DM Sans',-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',sans-serif;font-size:1rem;line-height:1.75;color:var(--text-primary);max-width:780px;margin:0 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.also-label{font-size:0.68rem;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--green);letter-spacing:0.08em;margin-bottom:0.35rem}.dariba-article .also-card .also-title{font-size:0.875rem;font-weight:600;line-height:1.4}.dariba-article .disclaimer{font-size:0.78rem;color:var(--text-muted);border-top:1px solid var(--border);padding-top:1rem;margin-top:2.5rem;font-style:italic;line-height:1.6}<\/style>\n<\/head>\n<body>\n<div class=\"dariba-article\">\n<div class=\"article-meta\"><span class=\"tag\">RETT<\/span><span>Taxable Events<\/span><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"series-banner\">Part of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/rett-saudi-arabia\/\">RETT in Saudi Arabia: The Complete Guide<\/a> \u2014 Cluster 2: Taxable Events \u00b7 Article 2.10<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"section-block\">\n <div class=\"section-number\"><span class=\"section-num-badge\">01<\/span><h2>The Defining Feature: A Special Due Date Rule<\/h2><\/div>\n <p>Off-plan sales are a distinct RETT category with one critically different rule from all other real estate transactions: <strong>RETT is due on the date of notarization of the ownership transfer with the Notary Public or Accredited Notary<\/strong> \u2014 not on the date the original off-plan purchase agreement (SPA) is signed between developer and buyer.<\/p>\n <p>In a standard notarized sale, the tax due date and the notarization date are the same event. For off-plan sales, the signing of the SPA and the notarization of actual ownership transfer are separated by the construction period \u2014 often two to five years. RETT does not arise when the SPA is executed. It arises later, when the completed property is formally transferred to the buyer at the Notary Public.<\/p>\n <p>This is confirmed by Article 4(e) and Article 5(C) of the Implementing Regulations: for off-plan sales, the tax due date is the date of notarization of ownership transfer, and payment must be made on or before that notarization date.<\/p>\n\n <div class=\"callout callout-info\">\n <div class=\"callout-label\">Why Off-Plan Has Its Own Rule<\/div>\n <p>The off-plan category was regulated in Saudi Arabia by the Law of Off-Plan Sale and Lease of Real Estate Projects (2021). Under that law, actual ownership cannot be registered until construction reaches a specified stage and conditions are met. It would be impossible \u2014 and unfair \u2014 to impose RETT at SPA signing when the property does not yet legally exist in its transferred form. The deferred due date reflects this practical reality.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"section-block\">\n <div class=\"section-number\"><span class=\"section-num-badge\">02<\/span><h2>Developer Perspective: RETT as a Cost of Sales<\/h2><\/div>\n <p>For a licensed real estate developer making off-plan sales, RETT is a transaction cost on each unit sold. The developer (as assignor\/seller) is responsible for RETT and must pay it before or on the date of notarization with the Notary Public \u2014 the point at which each buyer’s unit is formally registered in their name.<\/p>\n <p>For a developer selling 200 units in a project, this means 200 separate RETT payments, each due at the notarization date of the respective unit. RETT does not arise in bulk at project launch or when marketing starts. It arises unit by unit as each ownership transfer is notarized on completion.<\/p>\n <p>From an accounting and tax perspective, RETT incurred on off-plan unit sales is a cost of sales for the developer. It is deductible against revenue for Corporate Income Tax (CIT) or Zakat purposes in the year the RETT is incurred, in line with standard cost of sales treatment under the applicable accounting standards. However, RETT is not a recoverable input cost \u2014 it cannot be offset against VAT or reclaimed. It is a final cost.<\/p>\n\n <div class=\"callout\">\n <div class=\"callout-label\">Worked Example \u2014 Developer Selling Off-Plan Units<\/div>\n <h4>Scenario<\/h4>\n <p>Al-Maskan Development Company launches an off-plan residential tower in Riyadh in 2024, with 50 apartments priced at SAR 1,500,000 each. SPAs are signed in 2024. Construction completes and notarizations occur in 2026.<\/p>\n <h4>RETT Timeline<\/h4>\n <p>No RETT is due in 2024 when the SPAs are signed. In 2026, as each apartment is notarized in the buyer’s name, Al-Maskan must pay RETT of SAR 75,000 per unit (5% \u00d7 SAR 1,500,000) on or before each notarization date. Total RETT on the project: SAR 3,750,000, recognised as cost of sales in 2026.<\/p>\n <p>If a buyer qualifies for the First Home exemption (state bearing RETT on the first SAR 1,000,000), the developer presents the buyer’s First Home certificate, ZATCA confirms eligibility, and the state-borne portion is credited. The developer pays the balance (5% on the excess above SAR 1,000,000).<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"section-block\">\n <div class=\"section-number\"><span class=\"section-num-badge\">03<\/span><h2>The Land Transfer Exemption for Licensed Off-Plan Developers<\/h2><\/div>\n <p>Article 3(19) of the Implementing Regulations contains a specific exemption that supports the off-plan development cycle: a disposal of real estate by any person to a licensed real estate developer for the purpose of an off-plan project is exempt from RETT \u2014 subject to conditions.<\/p>\n <p>The conditions: the developer must hold an off-plan sales and rental licence at or before the transaction date; the land must be designated for a licensed off-plan project (with a licensing decision issued, or to be issued within 90 days); and the developer must not be selling the land on \u2014 it must be used for the off-plan project.<\/p>\n <p>If the licensing decision has not been issued by the transaction date, the seller has 90 days to provide it to ZATCA \u2014 but must either pay RETT or provide a bank guarantee equivalent to the RETT amount upfront. If the licence is issued within the 90-day period, the guarantee is released or RETT refunded. If not, ZATCA retains the guarantee or RETT payment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"section-block\">\n <div class=\"section-number\"><span class=\"section-num-badge\">04<\/span><h2>Re-Sales of Off-Plan Units Before Completion<\/h2><\/div>\n <p>A buyer who purchases an off-plan unit and then re-sells their contractual rights to another buyer before completion \u2014 a practice known as assignment of the off-plan contract \u2014 creates a separate RETT question. The buyer at SPA stage does not yet have title; they have a contractual right to acquire the property when complete.<\/p>\n <p>The RETT treatment of an assignment of off-plan rights is an area where careful analysis is required. The RETT Law taxes transactions resulting in the transfer of real estate ownership or possession for ownership purposes. An assignment of contractual rights to an off-plan unit arguably transfers the right to acquire ownership \u2014 which could be characterised as a transfer of the right to the benefit of the real estate. ZATCA’s approach to this specific scenario should be confirmed through its portal or a ruling request for significant transactions.<\/p>\n <p>Once the original buyer ultimately takes title at notarization, the RETT due date rules for off-plan sales apply: RETT is due at notarization. The intermediate assignment may or may not have separately triggered RETT depending on ZATCA’s characterisation. Advisors structuring assignment transactions in high-value off-plan developments should obtain clarity before proceeding.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"section-block\">\n <div class=\"section-number\"><span class=\"section-num-badge\">05<\/span><h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2><\/div>\n <div class=\"faq-list\">\n <div class=\"faq-item\">\n <button class=\"faq-q\">I signed an off-plan SPA in 2024. When exactly do I (or the developer) pay RETT?<span class=\"faq-icon\">+<\/span><\/button>\n <div class=\"faq-a\">RETT is due on the date of notarization of the ownership transfer with the Notary Public \u2014 which occurs when construction is complete and the unit is formally registered in your name. This could be 2027 if the project completes then. The developer (as assignor\/seller) is responsible for paying RETT on or before that notarization date. Signing the SPA in 2024 does not trigger RETT at that point.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"faq-item\">\n <button class=\"faq-q\">The developer is including RETT as a cost in the unit price. Is that allowed?<span class=\"faq-icon\">+<\/span><\/button>\n <div class=\"faq-a\">The RETT legal obligation is on the developer as assignor. How it is reflected in the commercial pricing is a contractual matter between developer and buyer. Many developers price in RETT as part of the total cost of acquisition. This is common practice. What matters for compliance is that the RETT is actually paid to ZATCA by or before the notarization date \u2014 regardless of who bears it commercially.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"faq-item\">\n <button class=\"faq-q\">A developer is selling land to another developer for a licensed off-plan project. Is RETT due on the land transfer?<span class=\"faq-icon\">+<\/span><\/button>\n <div class=\"faq-a\">Potentially exempt under Article 3(19) if: (a) the buying developer holds an off-plan licence on or before the transaction date, and (b) the land is designated for a licensed off-plan project with the licence decision issued (or to be issued within 90 days). If the 90-day condition applies and the licence is not obtained in time, RETT becomes payable and any guarantee provided is retained by ZATCA.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"takeaways\">\n <div class=\"takeaways-title\">◆ Key Takeaways<\/div>\n <ol>\n <li>Off-plan sales have a special RETT due date: notarization of the ownership transfer \u2014 not the SPA signing date. This defers RETT to the construction completion stage.<\/li>\n <li>The developer (as assignor) is responsible for RETT, payable on or before each unit’s notarization date.<\/li>\n <li>RETT on off-plan sales is a cost of sales for the developer \u2014 deductible for CIT\/Zakat purposes in the year of notarization.<\/li>\n <li>Land transferred to a licensed off-plan developer for a licensed project may be exempt under Article 3(19), subject to precise conditions and a 90-day licence confirmation window.<\/li>\n <li>Assignment of off-plan contractual rights before completion requires specific RETT analysis \u2014 confirm ZATCA’s position for significant transactions.<\/li>\n <\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"series-footer\"><p>RETT in Saudi Arabia \u2014 Cluster 2: Taxable Events<\/p><h4>Continue with the full RETT knowledge library on dariba.co<\/h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/rett-saudi-arabia\/\" class=\"btn-primary\">View all RETT articles \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"also-reading\"><h4>Related Articles<\/h4><div class=\"also-cards\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/rett-sale-of-property\/\" class=\"also-card\"><div class=\"also-label\">RETT<\/div><div class=\"also-title\">RETT on the Sale of Real Estate: The Standard Case<\/div><\/a>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/rett-due-date-saudi-arabia\/\" class=\"also-card\"><div class=\"also-label\">RETT<\/div><div class=\"also-title\">The RETT Tax Due Date: When Does RETT Become Payable?<\/div><\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"disclaimer\">Grounded in the RETT Law (Royal Decree No. M\/84, effective 10 April 2025), Implementing Regulations (ZATCA Board Resolution No. 01-03-25, 24 March 2025), and ZATCA’s Detailed Guideline Version 6 (May 2026). For informational purposes only. dariba.co is an independent knowledge platform.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<script>document.querySelectorAll('.dariba-article .faq-q').forEach(function(btn){btn.addEventListener('click',function(){btn.parentElement.classList.toggle('open');});});<\/script>\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>RETT on Off-Plan Property Sales in Saudi Arabia | Dariba.co RETTTaxable Events Part of RETT in Saudi Arabia: The Complete Guide \u2014 Cluster 2: Taxable Events \u00b7 Article 2.10 01 The Defining Feature: A Special Due Date Rule Off-plan sales are a distinct RETT category with one critically different rule from all other real estate […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-521","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-rett"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/521","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=521"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/521\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=521"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=521"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=521"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

{"id":521,"date":"2026-06-06T10:15:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-06T10:15:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/?p=521"},"modified":"2026-06-06T10:15:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-06T10:15:13","slug":"rett-on-off-plan-property-sales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/?p=521","title":{"rendered":"RETT on Off-Plan Property Sales in Saudi Arabia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n\nRETT on Off-Plan Property Sales in Saudi Arabia | Dariba.co<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"How RETT applies to off-plan property sales in Saudi Arabia \u2014 the special due date rule, developer obligations, re-sales before completion, and the interaction with REGA regulations.\">\n<link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\">\n<link href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=DM+Sans:wght@400;500;600;700;800&display=swap\" 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1fr;gap:0.875rem}@media(max-width:600px){.dariba-article .also-cards{grid-template-columns:1fr}}.dariba-article .also-card{background:var(--surface);border:1px solid var(--border);border-radius:var(--radius);padding:1rem;text-decoration:none;display:block}.dariba-article .also-card:hover{border-color:var(--green);box-shadow:0 2px 8px rgba(5,150,105,0.08)}.dariba-article .also-card .also-label{font-size:0.68rem;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--green);letter-spacing:0.08em;margin-bottom:0.35rem}.dariba-article .also-card .also-title{font-size:0.875rem;font-weight:600;line-height:1.4}.dariba-article .disclaimer{font-size:0.78rem;color:var(--text-muted);border-top:1px solid var(--border);padding-top:1rem;margin-top:2.5rem;font-style:italic;line-height:1.6}<\/style>\n<\/head>\n<body>\n<div class=\"dariba-article\">\n<div class=\"article-meta\"><span class=\"tag\">RETT<\/span><span>Taxable Events<\/span><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"series-banner\">Part of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/rett-saudi-arabia\/\">RETT in Saudi Arabia: The Complete Guide<\/a> \u2014 Cluster 2: Taxable Events \u00b7 Article 2.10<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"section-block\">\n <div class=\"section-number\"><span class=\"section-num-badge\">01<\/span><h2>The Defining Feature: A Special Due Date Rule<\/h2><\/div>\n <p>Off-plan sales are a distinct RETT category with one critically different rule from all other real estate transactions: <strong>RETT is due on the date of notarization of the ownership transfer with the Notary Public or Accredited Notary<\/strong> \u2014 not on the date the original off-plan purchase agreement (SPA) is signed between developer and buyer.<\/p>\n <p>In a standard notarized sale, the tax due date and the notarization date are the same event. For off-plan sales, the signing of the SPA and the notarization of actual ownership transfer are separated by the construction period \u2014 often two to five years. RETT does not arise when the SPA is executed. It arises later, when the completed property is formally transferred to the buyer at the Notary Public.<\/p>\n <p>This is confirmed by Article 4(e) and Article 5(C) of the Implementing Regulations: for off-plan sales, the tax due date is the date of notarization of ownership transfer, and payment must be made on or before that notarization date.<\/p>\n\n <div class=\"callout callout-info\">\n <div class=\"callout-label\">Why Off-Plan Has Its Own Rule<\/div>\n <p>The off-plan category was regulated in Saudi Arabia by the Law of Off-Plan Sale and Lease of Real Estate Projects (2021). Under that law, actual ownership cannot be registered until construction reaches a specified stage and conditions are met. It would be impossible \u2014 and unfair \u2014 to impose RETT at SPA signing when the property does not yet legally exist in its transferred form. The deferred due date reflects this practical reality.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"section-block\">\n <div class=\"section-number\"><span class=\"section-num-badge\">02<\/span><h2>Developer Perspective: RETT as a Cost of Sales<\/h2><\/div>\n <p>For a licensed real estate developer making off-plan sales, RETT is a transaction cost on each unit sold. The developer (as assignor\/seller) is responsible for RETT and must pay it before or on the date of notarization with the Notary Public \u2014 the point at which each buyer’s unit is formally registered in their name.<\/p>\n <p>For a developer selling 200 units in a project, this means 200 separate RETT payments, each due at the notarization date of the respective unit. RETT does not arise in bulk at project launch or when marketing starts. It arises unit by unit as each ownership transfer is notarized on completion.<\/p>\n <p>From an accounting and tax perspective, RETT incurred on off-plan unit sales is a cost of sales for the developer. It is deductible against revenue for Corporate Income Tax (CIT) or Zakat purposes in the year the RETT is incurred, in line with standard cost of sales treatment under the applicable accounting standards. However, RETT is not a recoverable input cost \u2014 it cannot be offset against VAT or reclaimed. It is a final cost.<\/p>\n\n <div class=\"callout\">\n <div class=\"callout-label\">Worked Example \u2014 Developer Selling Off-Plan Units<\/div>\n <h4>Scenario<\/h4>\n <p>Al-Maskan Development Company launches an off-plan residential tower in Riyadh in 2024, with 50 apartments priced at SAR 1,500,000 each. SPAs are signed in 2024. Construction completes and notarizations occur in 2026.<\/p>\n <h4>RETT Timeline<\/h4>\n <p>No RETT is due in 2024 when the SPAs are signed. In 2026, as each apartment is notarized in the buyer’s name, Al-Maskan must pay RETT of SAR 75,000 per unit (5% \u00d7 SAR 1,500,000) on or before each notarization date. Total RETT on the project: SAR 3,750,000, recognised as cost of sales in 2026.<\/p>\n <p>If a buyer qualifies for the First Home exemption (state bearing RETT on the first SAR 1,000,000), the developer presents the buyer’s First Home certificate, ZATCA confirms eligibility, and the state-borne portion is credited. The developer pays the balance (5% on the excess above SAR 1,000,000).<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"section-block\">\n <div class=\"section-number\"><span class=\"section-num-badge\">03<\/span><h2>The Land Transfer Exemption for Licensed Off-Plan Developers<\/h2><\/div>\n <p>Article 3(19) of the Implementing Regulations contains a specific exemption that supports the off-plan development cycle: a disposal of real estate by any person to a licensed real estate developer for the purpose of an off-plan project is exempt from RETT \u2014 subject to conditions.<\/p>\n <p>The conditions: the developer must hold an off-plan sales and rental licence at or before the transaction date; the land must be designated for a licensed off-plan project (with a licensing decision issued, or to be issued within 90 days); and the developer must not be selling the land on \u2014 it must be used for the off-plan project.<\/p>\n <p>If the licensing decision has not been issued by the transaction date, the seller has 90 days to provide it to ZATCA \u2014 but must either pay RETT or provide a bank guarantee equivalent to the RETT amount upfront. If the licence is issued within the 90-day period, the guarantee is released or RETT refunded. If not, ZATCA retains the guarantee or RETT payment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"section-block\">\n <div class=\"section-number\"><span class=\"section-num-badge\">04<\/span><h2>Re-Sales of Off-Plan Units Before Completion<\/h2><\/div>\n <p>A buyer who purchases an off-plan unit and then re-sells their contractual rights to another buyer before completion \u2014 a practice known as assignment of the off-plan contract \u2014 creates a separate RETT question. The buyer at SPA stage does not yet have title; they have a contractual right to acquire the property when complete.<\/p>\n <p>The RETT treatment of an assignment of off-plan rights is an area where careful analysis is required. The RETT Law taxes transactions resulting in the transfer of real estate ownership or possession for ownership purposes. An assignment of contractual rights to an off-plan unit arguably transfers the right to acquire ownership \u2014 which could be characterised as a transfer of the right to the benefit of the real estate. ZATCA’s approach to this specific scenario should be confirmed through its portal or a ruling request for significant transactions.<\/p>\n <p>Once the original buyer ultimately takes title at notarization, the RETT due date rules for off-plan sales apply: RETT is due at notarization. The intermediate assignment may or may not have separately triggered RETT depending on ZATCA’s characterisation. Advisors structuring assignment transactions in high-value off-plan developments should obtain clarity before proceeding.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"section-block\">\n <div class=\"section-number\"><span class=\"section-num-badge\">05<\/span><h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2><\/div>\n <div class=\"faq-list\">\n <div class=\"faq-item\">\n <button class=\"faq-q\">I signed an off-plan SPA in 2024. When exactly do I (or the developer) pay RETT?<span class=\"faq-icon\">+<\/span><\/button>\n <div class=\"faq-a\">RETT is due on the date of notarization of the ownership transfer with the Notary Public \u2014 which occurs when construction is complete and the unit is formally registered in your name. This could be 2027 if the project completes then. The developer (as assignor\/seller) is responsible for paying RETT on or before that notarization date. Signing the SPA in 2024 does not trigger RETT at that point.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"faq-item\">\n <button class=\"faq-q\">The developer is including RETT as a cost in the unit price. Is that allowed?<span class=\"faq-icon\">+<\/span><\/button>\n <div class=\"faq-a\">The RETT legal obligation is on the developer as assignor. How it is reflected in the commercial pricing is a contractual matter between developer and buyer. Many developers price in RETT as part of the total cost of acquisition. This is common practice. What matters for compliance is that the RETT is actually paid to ZATCA by or before the notarization date \u2014 regardless of who bears it commercially.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"faq-item\">\n <button class=\"faq-q\">A developer is selling land to another developer for a licensed off-plan project. Is RETT due on the land transfer?<span class=\"faq-icon\">+<\/span><\/button>\n <div class=\"faq-a\">Potentially exempt under Article 3(19) if: (a) the buying developer holds an off-plan licence on or before the transaction date, and (b) the land is designated for a licensed off-plan project with the licence decision issued (or to be issued within 90 days). If the 90-day condition applies and the licence is not obtained in time, RETT becomes payable and any guarantee provided is retained by ZATCA.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"takeaways\">\n <div class=\"takeaways-title\">◆ Key Takeaways<\/div>\n <ol>\n <li>Off-plan sales have a special RETT due date: notarization of the ownership transfer \u2014 not the SPA signing date. This defers RETT to the construction completion stage.<\/li>\n <li>The developer (as assignor) is responsible for RETT, payable on or before each unit’s notarization date.<\/li>\n <li>RETT on off-plan sales is a cost of sales for the developer \u2014 deductible for CIT\/Zakat purposes in the year of notarization.<\/li>\n <li>Land transferred to a licensed off-plan developer for a licensed project may be exempt under Article 3(19), subject to precise conditions and a 90-day licence confirmation window.<\/li>\n <li>Assignment of off-plan contractual rights before completion requires specific RETT analysis \u2014 confirm ZATCA’s position for significant transactions.<\/li>\n <\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"series-footer\"><p>RETT in Saudi Arabia \u2014 Cluster 2: Taxable Events<\/p><h4>Continue with the full RETT knowledge library on dariba.co<\/h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/rett-saudi-arabia\/\" class=\"btn-primary\">View all RETT articles \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"also-reading\"><h4>Related Articles<\/h4><div class=\"also-cards\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/rett-sale-of-property\/\" class=\"also-card\"><div class=\"also-label\">RETT<\/div><div class=\"also-title\">RETT on the Sale of Real Estate: The Standard Case<\/div><\/a>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/rett-due-date-saudi-arabia\/\" class=\"also-card\"><div class=\"also-label\">RETT<\/div><div class=\"also-title\">The RETT Tax Due Date: When Does RETT Become Payable?<\/div><\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"disclaimer\">Grounded in the RETT Law (Royal Decree No. M\/84, effective 10 April 2025), Implementing Regulations (ZATCA Board Resolution No. 01-03-25, 24 March 2025), and ZATCA’s Detailed Guideline Version 6 (May 2026). For informational purposes only. dariba.co is an independent knowledge platform.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<script>document.querySelectorAll('.dariba-article .faq-q').forEach(function(btn){btn.addEventListener('click',function(){btn.parentElement.classList.toggle('open');});});<\/script>\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>RETT on Off-Plan Property Sales in Saudi Arabia | Dariba.co RETTTaxable Events Part of RETT in Saudi Arabia: The Complete Guide \u2014 Cluster 2: Taxable Events \u00b7 Article 2.10 01 The Defining Feature: A Special Due Date Rule Off-plan sales are a distinct RETT category with one critically different rule from all other real estate […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-521","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-rett"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/521","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=521"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/521\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=521"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=521"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dariba.co\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=521"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}