To encourage timely payment of urban development (UD) tax, the local self-governance department has announced a 100 per cent rebate on interest for those who pay their UD tax in lump sum for the year 2023-24. However, this benefit will only be available to those who submit the payment by March 31.

Additionally, for lump sum payment of pending UD tax from cases before 2011-12, a 50 per cent discount on the principal amount, along with exemption from penalties, has been offered. For house tax, a 50 per cent discount on the principal and a 100 per cent discount on interest have been provided.

Urban development tax applies to all residential units or land over 300 square yards and to commercial, institutional, and industrial units larger than 900 square feet.

Kumar Pal Gautam, Director of the local self-governance department, stated that these exemptions would remain in effect until March 31. He also warned that if defaulters fail to pay their dues on time, even with these exemptions, action would be taken against them. However, he clarified that cases related to tax already paid would not be reopened, nor would any amounts deposited be refunded.

To help urban bodies meet their tax collection targets, the state government provides annual exemptions on UD tax and house tax. Despite these efforts, civic bodies typically fall short of meeting their targets by the end of the financial year.

As the financial year 2024-25 progresses, revenue officials have begun inspecting properties with significant unpaid taxes, alongside private firms contracted by the municipal corporation for tax collection from residents. In the coming months, zone-wise camps will be set up throughout the city for UD tax collection, along with special camps for marriage gardens to collect tax. In the previous financial year (2022-23), JMC Greater collected a total of Rs 690 million from UD tax, house tax, and advertisement tax.