10 days left, 51K yet to pay property tax in Chandigarh

Sandeep Rana

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Chandigarh, July 21

With 10 days left to clear the property tax without penalty, as many as 51,137 of the total 1,35,564 assessees (38%) are yet to pay the levy for the current financial year.

According to the Municipal Corporation, 37,142 residential and 13,995 commercial property owners have not paid their tax so far. In comparison, 67,470 residential and 16,957 commercial property owners have cleared their dues. A total of Rs 48.76 crore levy has been collected by the MC so far.

Those depositing the tax for the 2022-23 fiscal between the stipulated period i.e. April 1 to July 31 get a rebate. The residential property taxpayers get a rebate of 20 per cent and commercial property taxpayers 10 per cent. After July 31, a penalty of 25 per cent and 12 per cent interest, respectively, will be levied on tax dues sans rebate.

“We will start serving notices on those who fail to pay tax by July 31. If house owners fail to pay up even after repeated notices, their property may be attached,” said an MC official.

The corporation started collecting commercial property tax in 2004 and house tax in 2015. In the last fiscal, it collected the highest-ever levy of Rs 70 crore. Like previous fiscals, this amount includes the arrears as well.

In 2020-21, the tax branch of the MC collected Rs 61 crore and in 2019-2020 Rs 53 crore.

In the current financial year too, the corporation aims at making big earnings as around 20,000 house owners in different colonies will also have to pay the property tax this time. It has been mandated houses with an area of 500 sq ft or above will have to pay the levy.

Rebate & penalty

Up to July 31

20% rebate for residential, 10% for commercial units

After July 31

25% & 12% interest penalty on tax dues

1,35,564 Total assessees

38% still to pay dues