App to explain revised property tax in Chennai

In an effort to clear the air on property tax revision, the Greater Chennai Corporation has come out with an app on its website that tells residents how much they had been paying earlier, how much they should have paid and what the revised tax is. A few days ago, a news report had spoken about the lack of a grievance mechanism and a proper explanation for the increase in taxes. It also mention how complaints were pouring in about how in some places the increase had been fivefold. “The application, ‘verify your property tax’, will give each resident detailed information on why and how their taxes were increased. We have not increased by more than 50% for residential properties and by more than 100% for commercial properties. Of the properties assessed so far, the area of 4.6 lakh properties has increased,” said R Lalitha, deputy commissioner, revenue department. Apart from this, another two lakh residents had declared lesser area than earlier specified and for which the tax had not been revised, said a revenue derpartment officer. These properties will be inspected, verified and the tax revised in a month, he added. “Of the 12.14 lakh properties assessed in the city, the tax has been revised for 10.34 lakh,” said a revenue department official. Another revenue department official told that the department would begin hearing appeals this week. All regional deputy commissioners and the deputy commissioner, revenue department will meet the residents personally to listen to their grievances. “We will meet around 50 of them every day. We have already sent mails to the residents, asking them to come and meet us. Based on the turnout, we will take further course of action. We have asked them to bring all supporting documents as well. Even those who have mailed us will be called for the appeal hearing,” said Lalitha. The revision in property tax, the corportion expects, will lead to an increase in revenue to around ?1,050 crore from ?720 crore from 10.34 lakh assessments this year. “The remaining two lakh properties include several non-commercial establishments that we hope to earn another ?200 crore to ?300 crrore after the tax is revised in about a month’s time,” said an official.