PMC collects ₹1,757 cr from property tax

This year, civic officials informed that 65 per cent of the ₹1,757 crore was paid online, with the remainder collected physically by PMC

Pune

With just nine days left for the financial year 2022-23, authorities expect a rush for paying the tax. (HT PHOTO)

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has so far managed to collect revenue worth ₹1,757 crore as part of property tax collection, officials from the civic body’s tax department said. With just nine days left for the financial year 2022-23, authorities expect a rush for paying the tax.

Last year, the civic body collected revenue until the end of the fiscal year and between April 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022, the PMC collected ₹1,845.91 crore in property tax revenue, with 8,61,671 property owners paying the tax.

This year, civic officials informed that 65 per cent of the ₹1,757 crore was paid online, with the remainder collected physically by PMC.

However, in light of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s announcement about a 40% tax rebate, the civic body may postpone sending new bills until April this year.

Last week, Shinde announced the continuation of a 40 per cent tax rebate for citizens from Pune. In light of the announcement, PMC may be forced to reprint nearly 4.5 lakh bills, which are usually distributed to citizens by the first week of the new fiscal year.

Officials stated that they are still seeking clarification on the total benefit to be provided to property owners. Many citizens believe that the decision made on Friday will result in a direct 40% reduction in property taxes, though officials from the PMC tax department have not confirmed the same.

The new bills will be printed in response to the state government’s decision to provide a 40% tax break for self-occupied properties. According to a senior official, a notification will be issued soon.

As the state government requested that the 40% property tax rebate be cancelled and dues be recovered, PMC issued bills to 97,500 properties for the same in the previous fiscal year. Around 33,000 taxpayers have paid the additional 40% tax component, leaving the question of what will happen to these 33,000 taxpayers unanswered. According to the administration, 7.5 lakh taxpayers will receive a 40% tax rebate.