Pune: PMC Reintroduces 40% Property Tax Discount Amid Higher Bills, Conducts Citywide Survey

Pune, 21st June 2024: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is reintroducing a 40% discount on property tax for citizens living on their own properties. However, the property tax bills being distributed are higher than anticipated by residents. Consequently, PMC has decided to conduct a comprehensive survey of all properties under its jurisdiction. By 15th August, over 3 lakh properties will be visited, and residents will need to fill out the PT-3 form. PMC urges citizens to cooperate during this process.

Since a decision made by PMC in 1970, residents owning a single property under PMC’s jurisdiction received a 40% discount on property tax. However, this discount was revoked by the Maharashtra State Government in 2018, mandating 100% tax collection from all residents. In the initial phase, a survey was initiated for residents owning two properties under PMC, resulting in the cancellation of their discount.

Furthermore, properties newly registered in 2019 were subjected to 100% property tax, including newly incorporated villages under PMC, significantly increasing taxes for affected residents. This led to widespread criticism and complaints from citizens. In response, the Maharashtra State Government reinstated the 40% discount scheme. However, its implementation faced challenges, causing many residents to miss out on the discount.

As a result, PMC has decided to survey properties that did not receive the discount. As a trial initiative, after conducting surveys under the Sinhagad Road Ward Office, a 40% discount on property tax was granted to eligible properties. PMC administration has stated that a similar survey will be conducted citywide on the same basis.

Documents required for the property tax discount include proof of residence (two proofs from options such as gas connection, Aadhaar card, voter ID card, passport, driving license, or society’s no-objection certificate). These documents should be submitted to PMC officials during the PT-3 application survey or at the Citizen Facilitation Centres (CFC) of PMC.

Madhav Jagtap, Deputy Commissioner of PMC’s Taxation and Tax Collection Department, said, “PMC is actively identifying properties that did not receive the 40% discount. The list of affected citizens will be published on PMC’s website. This survey commenced on June 18th and will continue until August 15th. We aim to visit every household and assist them in filling out the PT-3 form.”

Summary:

– In a GIS survey conducted in 2018, the 40% discount was discontinued for 96,122 properties starting from 1st April 2018.
– From 1st April 2019, 1,98,296 newly constructed properties did not receive the 40% discount.
– Additionally, 1,68,771 properties in 23 newly included villages were also not granted this exemption.
– A total of 4,63,189 properties in Pune were affected by these changes, out of which 90,749 property owners have already submitted PT-3 applications for exemption.
– However, 3,72,440 property owners have yet to apply. Hence, PMC will conduct door-to-door surveys to reach these citizens.