State Makes Property Tax Mandatory in Rural Areas, Implements Self-Assessment Method

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, February 11, 2025, Kolkata :  In a move aimed at curbing property tax evasion, the state government has made property tax mandatory across both urban and rural areas. The newly introduced self-assessment method, which was already in practice in all municipalities, will now be extended to the rural areas through an initiative by the Panchayat Department. This method will be applicable during the registration of new properties, such as land and houses.

Under the new system, when a person purchases a new property and registers it, they will automatically receive a self-assessment notice along with the registration documents. The buyer will be required to complete the self-assessment process; failure to do so will result in legal action from the state. This initiative aims to stop the growing trend of property tax evasion, which has been a concern for local authorities.

An official from the Panchayat Department explained, “The moment a buyer purchases a house or land and gets it registered, all the information related to that property will be sent to the department. After that, the buyer will be prompted to complete the self-assessment. The department will continue to send reminders until the process is completed.” To ensure compliance, the Gram Panchayat will also be tasked with overseeing the self-assessment process. They will verify the information provided by the buyers, leaving no room for tax evasion.

Additionally, the Panchayat Department recently introduced an online property tax submission system to streamline the process. However, reports suggest that the self-assessment method has not been fully implemented in some areas. In response, the Panchayat Department will now collaborate with the Registration and Stamp Duty Department to ensure that the system is effectively enforced.

Once this system is properly implemented across both Panchayat areas and municipalities, the entire state will fall under the self-assessment property tax framework. Officials are optimistic that, if successful, this initiative will significantly increase the state's revenue, creating a more efficient and accountable system for property tax collection.