Rebate slabs go, pay more

Rajinder Nagarkoti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 25

This year, city residents will not get the huge rebate in house tax which they got in 2015-16 and 2016-17 as the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation has decided to do away with the different rebate slab system. Now, there is only one rebate slab.

The decision was taken at the MC House meeting in March. The MC has scrapped the three slabs -- 40 per cent, 30 per cent and 20 per cent -- and has kept only the 20 per cent slab. It has also reduced the period of rebate. While earlier there was rebate (ranging from 20 to 40 per cent) for those who paid house tax within 180 days, now it has been reduced it to 60 days. Moreover, the MC will also impose penalty and charge interest on the delayed house tax payment for 2017-18 in this financial year only and not in the next fiscal.

As per the MC decision, residents who pay the house tax between April 1 and May 31 will get a 20 per cent rebate.

A person who fails to pay the tax by May 31 will have to pay 25 per cent extra from June 1 over and above the prescribed rates along with an interest of 12 per cent per annum. 

The MC has only issued public notices regarding the new development. It did not hold any public camps involving RWAs to make residents aware of the new system. In 2015, when the UT Administration had introduced the house tax in the city, it had organised camps in sectors to spread awareness among the residents. 

At present, the house tax rates are one rupee per sq ft of the covered area and Rs 2 per sq yard. The MC has divided the city into three zones and the rates have been finalised according to the zones. 

Villages, colonies exempted

All residential houses situated in colonies and villages under the municipal limits have been exempted from house tax.

Where to pay

Residents can pay the house tax at all e-Sampark centres and at all branches of the Oriental Bank of Commerce in Chandigarh. 

Rebate & penalty for 2015-16 and 2016-17

• Pay property tax within 60 days and get a 40 per cent rebate.
• Pay property tax from 61 days to 120 days and get a 30 per cent rebate.
• Pay property tax from 121 days to 180 days and get a 20 per cent rebate.
• After 180 days, pay 25 per cent extra over and above the taxable amount along with an interest of 12 per cent per annum.

For 2017-18

• Pay property tax between April 1 and May 31 and get 20 per cent rebate. A person who fails to pay the tax by May 31 will have to pay 25 per cent extra from June 1 over and above the prescribed rates along with and interest of 12 per cent per annum.