Chennai Property Tax Reassessment: GCC Clarifies Revised Assessments

Amid growing complaints over a steep increase in Chennai property tax assessments, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has clarified that there has been no general increase in property tax. Officials said the revised tax amounts apply mainly to residential and commercial properties that were previously incorrectly assessed or under-assessed.

According to GCC Commissioner G.S. Sameeran, discrepancies in property measurements were identified using GIS mapping, satellite data, government databases and self-declaration details submitted by property owners.

A corporation official said the GIS survey was launched following the collection of self-declaration data in 2018. The information was subsequently cross-checked with existing GCC records. Based on this exercise, around 3.5 lakh property owners were found to have been paying property tax without accounting for the entire built-up area.

Chennai Property Tax Appeal Process

The GCC has advised property owners who disagree with their revised property tax assessment to file an appeal within 15 days of receiving the notice.

Residents can submit their appeals to the concerned Regional Deputy Commissioner (RDC) or hand over their objection letters at the respective zonal offices. GCC assessors have also been instructed to collect the objection forms and forward them to the RDC.

The civic body has assured property owners that their objections will be examined and resolved within 30 days.

If a large number of petitions are received, the RDCs may organise special grievance camps to address residents` concerns. Operators at the 1913 Chennai Corporation helpline have also been instructed to provide accurate information to citizens seeking clarification about property tax assessments.

Deputy Mayor Raises Concerns Over Property Tax Assessment

Deputy Mayor Magesh Kumar noted that the civic body had already increased the property tax rate two years ago. He said the DMK-led council had decided to defer the scheduled annual increase this year to avoid placing an additional financial burden on the public.

He further alleged that during the previous council meeting, the Commissioner had been asked to seek a ₹2,000 crore special fund from the Tamil Nadu government instead of implementing another increase. However, he claimed that the latest assessment exercise was carried out without informing the council.

GCC Reassessment to Address Property Tax Disparities

In recent years, the Greater Chennai Corporation has received several complaints about differences in property tax payments among owners of properties with similar sizes.

Officials said the current Chennai property tax reassessment is intended to identify such discrepancies and ensure that property owners pay tax based on the actual built-up area.

The GCC expects the reassessment exercise to help correct property tax disparities and generate approximately �₹170 crore in additional annual revenue for the civic body.