BBMP all set for property tax drive

BBMP all set for property tax drive
DH News Service, Bangalore:
Once this process is completed, the collection will start at the BangaloreOne centres and specific help centres to be set up for the purpose, BBMP Commissioner S Subramanya told presspersons here.


With its tax revenue inflow in deep freeze for over 10 months, the cash-starved Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is finally set for property tax collection. The process may start across the City on February 10.
To guide the public in the complex tax calculation procedure, the BBMP will soon begin printing of booklets. Once this process is completed, the collection will start at the BangaloreOne centres and specific help centres to be set up for the purpose, BBMP Commissioner S Subramanya told presspersons here.

The Palike has proposed to set up 370 help centres to add to the existing 70 ones. The commissioner said the booklets would reach the centres a day or two before tax collection begins. The tax will be collected as per the old rates that existed in the year 2000 for residential buildings. Some new provisions have been made for commercial buildings whereas many old commercial buildings will enjoy the old rates as it used to be in 2000.
However, big apartments and commercial buildings that existed in the villages (which were incorporated into the BBMP limits) and enjoyed the “rural” status will be brought under the zones. Similarly, party halls and commercial complexes will also have to pay taxes under the new zoning system.

Tax rates

According to Subramanya, irrespective of location (zones), properties used for all non-residential purposes and provided with escalators whether or not put to use and not falling under categories VIII to XIV, will have to pay tax at the rate of Rs 20 per unit.

Likewise, irrespective of the location (zones), properties used for all non-residential purpose and which are provided with central air conditioning facility, whether or not put to use and where one occupier or several occupiers together have a built up area of 5,000 square feet and above, will have to pay tax at the rate of Rs 20 per unit. Properties with an area of 4,999 square feet or less should pay only Rs 18 per unit.

The multiplexes have been separated from cinema theatres. The cinema theatres halls in E Zone will have to pay Rs 2, Rs 2.5 in Zone D, Rs 3 in Zone C, Rs 3.5 in Zone B and Rs 4 in Zone A for every square feet. The multiplexes, irrespective of their location, will have to pay Rs 20 per sq ft besides cess. Touring theatres in the city, irrespective of their location should pay a composite tax of Rs 8,000 plus cess annually as property tax, which can be payable in two half-yearly instalments.


The commissioner also gave an insight on the use of GIS to track the properties in Bangalore for taxation purposes.

No property owner can elude paying taxes as they all have been categorised electronically.

The BBMP this year expects a record tax collection between Rs 550 crores and Rs 600, he added.

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagar Palike is likely to post the property tax notification and zone classification in its official website: www.bmponline.org on Tuesday.