Are foreign government-owned diplomatic or consular residences exempt from property taxes?
A – It depends. The Ambassador?s residence and the residence of the head of a consular post are exempt on the basis of international law. In addition, subject to reciprocal treatment of comparable property belonging to the U.S., other diplomatic staff residences may also be granted exemption. Absent a bilateral agreement, consular staff residences are not tax exempt. In the Washington metropolitan area, property tax exemption is obtained through OFM. For more information, please refer to the latest circular diplomatic note on property tax issues. For more information, please refer to Diplomatic Note 02-01.
A – It depends. The Ambassadors residence and the residence of the head of a consular post are exempt on the basis of international law. In addition, subject to reciprocal treatment of comparable property belonging to the U.S., other diplomatic staff residences may also be granted exemption. Absent a bilateral agreement, consular staff residences are not tax exempt. In the Washington metropolitan area, property tax exemption is obtained through OFM. For more information, please refer to the latest circular diplomatic note on property tax issues. For more information, please refer to Diplomatic Note 02-01.
