Property tax in Mumbai: Now, make payment directly to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation

Now, flat owners can pay property taxes directly to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation instead of taking the intermediate route of paying them through the housing society authorities. The new decision will be applicable to buildings which have acquired an occupation certificate (OC) after April 1.

Additionally, it will also enable the BMC to increase the collection of property taxes which draws the highest revenue for the civic body.

The new tax, which can be paid through the BMC’s online portal, will prove to be beneficial for the flat owners who often suffer due to delays in the procedure. Often, the flat owners pay the taxes to the society within the stipulated date but delays in payment by the society garner additional charges and other legal actions.

The civic body took the decision in lieu of the long withstanding demand of the citizens to levy property taxes as per its area in the building. In case the flat is unsold, the builder will have to pay the taxes. However, once the flat is sold, the new owner will be directly paying the taxes.

Earlier, the BMC had allowed flat owners to pay property taxes individually even if an OC is dated before April 1 with the aid of a No-objection (NOC) certificate from the society authorities.

However, of the total 28 lakh flats in Mumbai, only 1.42 lakh flat owners are paying taxes independently.

Currently, there are around 2.75 lakh buildings in Mumbai and approximately 150 new buildings acquire an OC every year.

“The decision of the BMC to levy individual bill requires being appreciated by one and all. This will immensely help to prompt property taxpayers”, said Dharmin Vinod Sampat, Secretary for Co-operative Societies Residents’ Users and Welfare Association.

“Through the new system, the residents will be benefited by the ‘early bird discounts’ by paying the tax in advance, ”informed the Deputy Municipal Commissioner, Sanjay Mukherjee.

Source: DNA India