Delhi MCD nets 50% of property tax target in first quarter. Here's how

Indian Express

4 days ago

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has achieved 50% of its property tax collection target in the first quarter of the current financial year, officials said on Monday. A total of Rs 1,650 crore has been collected so far against the target of Rs 3,200 crore.
According to sources, the achievement can be attributed to the online payment mode, which started last July, and the Property Tax Amnesty Scheme 2025-26, known as Sumpattikar Niptaan Yojana (SUNIYO).
'Last year, we were able to collect only Rs 1,500 crore by this time due to payments made by cheques, a majority of which would bounce,' an official said, adding that a total of Rs 2,132 crore was collected against the target of Rs 4,000 crore last year.
Till now, 59,411 taxpayers have availed of the SUNIYO scheme, and property tax to the tune of Rs 145.19 crore has been received.
Under the one-time amnesty scheme valid from June 1 to September 30, a taxpayer can get a full waiver on arrears — interest and penalties — for periods before the financial year 2020-21, provided they pay the principal amount of property tax for the current year (2025-26) and the previous five financial years (2020-21 to 2024-25), as per an MCD circular.
The official, explaining how the online mode is helpful, said that earlier, taxpayers used to submit the cheque at the last moment at the end of a financial year. With a cheque valid for three months, it used to get cleared in the next financial year. 'This used to get recorded twice by the system due to lack of reconciliation. Cheque bounce was also a major issue,' the official said.
'Numbers used to be high, but the actual amount with the department was less because of these reasons, and it was difficult for the officials to trace the person since they would – on many occasions — not write the full address,' the official added.
On Monday, the civic body organised 2,333 property tax camps across the city's 12 zones to facilitate taxpayers in filing their taxes and availing benefits offered under the Amnesty Scheme. To avail of this benefit, taxpayers are required to file their online Property Tax Return (PTR) on the official MCD portal.
Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh said more property tax camps will be organised in the coming days: 'In view of the encouraging response to the SUNIYO scheme, more property tax camps will be held in the coming days to ensure all eligible citizens can benefit from the amnesty.'
He also announced that the last date to avail a 10% rebate on lump sum property tax payment for the current financial year has been extended till July 31.