MCG mulls move to collect property tax from doorstep

Gurgaon residents could soon avoid long queues and hassles at the municipal corporation offices while paying taxes as the civic body is planning to partner with private banks to collect the sum from the doorstep of residents.

Gurgaon residents could soon avoid long queues and hassles at the municipal corporation offices while paying taxes as the civic body is planning to partner with private banks to collect the sum from the doorstep of residents.

Currently, tax can be paid at MCG offices or through online transaction.(HT File)

The initiative has been conceptualised with the aim of increasing the total amount of tax collected and to make payment easier for residents.

Once implemented, taxpayers will have to contact the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) call centre and make a booking with a preferred time slot. Bank agents will collect the sum from their residence and charge a nominal fee for the process. Payments can be made only through cheques.

An acknowledgement receipt for the payment will be sent either by SMS or email and a tax collection receipt will later be sent by courier, an MCG official said.

The MCG earns in excess of Rs 500 crore annually in terms of property tax, making it an important source of revenue. Tax is levied on commercial and residential plot owners in the city.

“The MCG has introduced various efficient options for payment of property tax through online transactions and digital wallets. The new initiative will provide an additional payment options for residents,” a senior official of the MCG said.

Officials said the proposal will be presented before the standing committee next year for clearance. The MCG is currently occupied with the task of repairing city roads, which has to be completed before November 1 as directed by chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar. The civic body is also caught up with processes such as redrawing municipal wards before the municipal polls.

Currently, tax can be paid at MCG offices or through online transaction.

The civic body has already taken several new initiatives in its bid to improve property tax collection this year. In February, the MCG introduced online assessment and payment of property tax on its official website in a tie-up with HDFC bank. In July, the civic body partnered with an e-commerce firm to facilitate payment through digital wallet using Paytm. However, the facility is still not operational.