Survey of properties nearly complete

Responding to corporators’ queries in the Palike Council here on Wednesday, Siddaiah said that the Palike has recorded all properties in the eight zones to be brought under the tax bracket.

 He said non-declaration of assets by citizens was adding to the losses of the BBMP.
“Even as there was a provision to re-inspect at least 10 percent of the properties, it was never used. The BBMP had not reviewed the Self Assessment Scheme (SAS) for the last three years,” he said.The BBMP is now empowered to re-inspect at least 30 per cent of the properties under its jurisdiction.

Reviewing power
“In fact, the Commissioner has the power to review 100 per cent of these schemes,” he said hinting at the possibilities that the BBMP would undertake this exercise to ensure that property owners are paying their dues to the Palike.

Siddaiah stated 2,08,980 properties have been identified to be out of tax net, while tax has not been paid  for 1,78,195 properties for the past three years.

Another 1.50 lakh properties are neither in the tax net nor have the owners paid taxes.
“The survey has helped us raise our target for property tax in Mahadevapura Zone alone to Rs 167 crore,” he said.