Chandigarh MC collects record property tax during 2-month rebate period

Time of India

5 days ago

1
2
Chandigarh: The Chandigarh municipal corporation has achieved an unprecedented property tax collection of approximately Rs 60 crore during April and May rebate period. Citizens submitted payments via e-Sampark Centres and banks, with e-Sampark Centres, which operated until 8pm on Saturday, receiving the majority of payments.
The final figures might increase slightly, but this collection marks the highest amount ever received during a two-month rebate period.
The detailed breakdown of residential and commercial property tax collections will be published on Monday after data compilation. Sources indicate that whilst commercial properties contributed the larger share of the amount, residential property owners represented the highest number of taxpayers.
"As the rates of commercial property tax are substantially higher than the residential properties, the collected amount of commercial property tax is relatively higher than the residential tax category. On the other hand, the maximum taxpayers fall in the residential taxpayers category," sources in the MC said.
Official records indicate that e-Sampark Centres collected approximately Rs 48 crore, whilst banks received around rupees 12 crore.
About 65,000 taxpayers participated during April and May, with roughly 51,000 from residential properties and the remainder from commercial establishments.
The tax branch officials worked diligently over these two months, encouraging taxpayers to utilise the rebate period. The MC addressed numerous queries from taxpayers who visited their office during this period.
The previous year's collection during April and May 2024 was approximately rupees 39 crore, with lower tax rates.
Following the Chandigarh administration's decision to double property tax rates in April, the MC anticipates collecting around rupees 70 crore this financial year, excluding arrears. Currently, Chandigarh has 1.42 lakh properties, comprising 1.12 lakh residential and 30,000 commercial properties.
The rebate period concluded on May 31, and those who missed the deadline must now pay a 25% penalty on their total property tax amount, plus 12% interest. During the rebate period, residential properties received a 20% rebate, whilst commercial properties received 10%.