The Times of India 06.04.2017
Soon, pay property tax in your neighbourhood
BENGALURU: It’s time to pay property tax for 2017-18. To make the process hassle-free, the BBMP is making arrangements to collect tax at the offices of BBMP revenue officers (ROs) or assistant revenue officers (AROs).
The BBMP is in talk with banks to deploy officials for tax collection
at these offices which are across the city and present at ward level
too.
Several tax payers had last year complained about lack of dedicated
counters at banks for tax payments and ill-preparedness of the BBMP in
this regard.
M K Gunashekar, chairman, standing committee on Taxation
and Finance, BBMP, said “Though we have online payment option, many
prefer off line mode. Having bank officials, who are equipped with swipe
machines and necessary receipts at RO and ARO offices, will help
taxpayers complete the process without running around much.”
Gunashekar said they have already discussed the matter with bank
managements. “They are of the opinion that such a facility can be
extended during peak payment season of property tax.
As April and May will be one such season where a lot of people will
pay tax to avail rebate, the initiative will soon be implemented. We
will soon make a public announcement in this regard,” he added.
TIME TO PAY
tax can be paid as one full instalment or two instalments. If you are
paying in two instalments, the first one will be interest-free if it is
within April 30, 2017. The second one will be interest-free if it is
paid before November-end.
Pay before month-end, get 5% rebate
payment is ‘the best’ option. Paying across the counter in the BBMP
offices is a nightmare. The staff at BBMP offices harass the tax
paying public too much. If a property owner has any queries, that will
not be addressed properly and he will be made to run pillar to pillar.
The staff at BBMP offices throughout Bengaluru are so arrogant and will
not help the public kindly. Their only intention is to collect the usual
bribe, and those who pay bribe will be addressed nicely.
The BBMP is offering 5% rebate on property tax for payments made
before April 30. The mode of payment can be online, cash, cheque or
demand draft.For details, log on to http:bbmp.gov.in or
http:bbmptax.karnataka.gov.in formsForms.aspx
DIGITAL NUMBERS FOR HOUSES, ROADS
The BBMP standing committee on taxation and finance has recently
cleared the budget proposal on allotting unique digital numbers for
houses and roads in the city. “We will float tenders to shortlist
agencies for the project. It will also be a smart city initiative. Such
an identity, which includes digital coordinates of each property along
with PID number and other things, will go a long way in streamlining the
property listing in the city. Collection of property tax will also be
augmented as more properties will come under the tax bracket,”
Gunashekar said.
