Both the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) and the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) have revised tax levied on buildings and vacant sites. The MCC has announced that property tax had been enhanced by 15 per cent with effect from April 1, the day on which its announcement was made.
It said the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act 1976 empowered the MCC to enhance property tax from 15 to 30 per cent after a period of three years. However, it had raised the tax by 15 per cent on all building properties after three years and property owners have to remit tax at the enhanced rate from 2010-11 onwards, coming into effect from April 1. The flat rate increase will be applicable for both commercial and residential properties.
Those who remit the tax for the year in April month alone will be entitled for a 5 per cent tax relief. Property tax is a major source of revenue for the MCC. It targets to mop up Rs 55 crore this year as against Rs 45 crore for the last year, a growth of 22 per cent.
The MUDA too has followed the MCC example and announced an enhancement on vacant building sites and houses coming under its jurisdiction with effect from April 1, 2010.
The decision to enhance the tax was taken at an ordinary meeting of the MUDA on October 31, 2009, MUDA Commissioner P C Jayanna said.
However, the release did not specify the quantum of enhancement and asked the tax payers to visit its office or website for details. A visit to the MUDA website, however, drew a blank as meeting proceedings had not been updated for over a year after February 11, 2009.
The Association of Concerned and Informed Citizens (ACIC) has denounced the MCC move to revise property tax without taking the tax payers into confidence, although the self-assessment scheme was in vogue.
ACIC Convener M Lakshamana said the tax revision was due in 2011-12. It would hold a public meeting to discuss the issue, he said.
