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Taxation

BMC hunts for property tax defaulters

Tuesday, 15 December 2009 09:50 administrator
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Hindustan Times 15.12.2009

BMC hunts for property tax defaulters

You will have civic officials at your doorstep if you have not paid your property taxes.

The cash-strapped Brihnamumbai Municipal Corporation has started sending civic inspectors and collector department to remind people about their dues and collect them.

Everyone who owns property in Mumbai has to pay the tax. The amount is determined through a formula in which the building’s age and its rental value are considered.

Broadly, it works out to 40 per cent of the annual rent. To this, elements like water charges are added.

On Sunday, BMC officials visited several residents in Andheri (west). “When he came to our door, we were surprised as it has never happened,” said a resident of RTO Colony, requesting anonymity. The officer from the K-west ward also visited some colonies in Versova.

“Often, people do not pay their property tax and the amount increases because of penalties. Our inspectors visit homes on Sundays and if residents wish, they can pay their dues immediately by cheque or pay at the ward office the next day,” said S.S. Shinde, joint municipal commissioner.

The BMC charges a 20 per cent penalty if you don’t pay by the end of the fiscal year. For every year thereafter, another 20 per cent gets added.

Faced with a revenue shortfall of up to Rs 2,000 crore in its annual budget of Rs 19,000 crore, the BMC has also sent a letter requesting the Bombay High Court and Supreme Court to clear pending property tax cases.

Sources said there were 2,892 property tax-related cases pending, from which the BMC could earn Rs 1,891 crore.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 15 December 2009 09:54
 

MCD may retain dog tax

Tuesday, 15 December 2009 02:42 administrator
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The Hindu 15.12.2009

MCD may retain dog tax

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi, which had earlier given its approval for waiving off dog tax in its budget estimate for the year 2009-10, is now reconsidering its decision.

A proposal to retain the present dog tax of Rs.5 is being tabled in the civic body’s Standing Committee meeting this coming Wednesday.

According to the MCD, under Section 136 of Delhi Municipal Act, 1957, there is a provision for tax on animals including dogs.

At present, an amount of Rs.20 including Rs.15 for a dog token and Rs. 5 for dog tax is being charged from pet dog owners.

As per the earlier approval to waive off the dog tax, the Municipal Commissioner had directed the officials to examine its other implications. It was further stated that the waiving of the dog tax would require amendment in the DMC Act which would be a cumbersome process. The civic body also submitted that the dog tax was a pre-requisite for registration of dogs and with pet owners belonging mostly to the “affluent” category, they could easily bear the tax for keeping pet dogs.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 15 December 2009 02:43
 

Civic body will not burden middle class’

Friday, 11 December 2009 10:54 administrator
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Indain Express 11.12.2009

‘Civic body will not burden middle class’

The political brass of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi on Thursday made it clear that it was not in favour of imposing “additional burden” on taxpayers, especially those belonging to the middle- and lower-middle class.

Refusing to support the budget proposal of hiking property tax rates by five per cent across all categories and the introduction of a new professional tax, Mayor Kanwar Sain said the MCD is not in favour of burdening those who are already paying taxes. “The idea is to increase our revenue by increasing taxes charged from malls and 3-star hotels. Their turnover is huge but they are paying a pittance as taxes at present. We also want more people to be brought into the tax net and are working towards it,” Sain said.

“We do not want to burden people belonging to the middle class and lower-middle class. We will make changes in the proposed budget in the coming days,” said the Leader of the MCD House, Subhash Arya.

During the presentation of the municipal budget for the 2010-11 fiscal on Wednesday, MCD Commissioner K S Mehra had proposed a hike in property tax and house tax, besides the introduction of a new discretionary tax called ‘professional tax’ for all residents of the Capital whose monthly income is Rs 30,000 or more.

Last Updated on Friday, 11 December 2009 10:56
 
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