Chandan becomes first property tax payer in Manipur

Imphal: For the first time in Manipur Takhellambam Chandan Singh has paid property tax in advance under Manipur Municipality Act, 1994 and Manipur Municipalities (Property Tax) Rules, 2019 on Friday.

Encouraging the initiatives of Chandan, Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) facilitated Chandan at his Chingmeirong residence on Saturday.

Takhellambam Chandan Singh son of late T. Tomchou Singh of Chingmeirong West, Imphal West, Manipur paid a total tax of Rs 8,186.87 through his debit card, Point of Sales (POS) swipe machine.

He paid the tax for his residential area covering 2,812 square feet (Pucca) property tax of Rs 3,747.83; residential area covering 1,306 square feet (semi-pucca) property tax of Rs 1,405.83 and commercial area covering 900 square feet (pucca) property tax of Rs 5,80.32.

The total calculated amount is Rs 10,233.58 per annum, however as he paid the total tax in one time so he was benefitted with 20 per cent rebate and he paid the sum of Rs 8,186.87 as his property tax.

In the gazette notification issued on March 20, 2024 mentioned that the Manipur Municipality Property Tax Board notifies the rates at which the municipality shall calculate the property tax payable by the property owner for their properties situated within the jurisdiction of Imphal Municipal Corporation for the assessment year 2024-25.

It is mentioned in the gazette notification that Imphal Municipal Corporation is categorised in seven categories as A,B,C,D,E,F,G property owner. Those who are under these categories have to pay their property tax as with different amounts respectively.

Residents falls under category A has to pay the highest tax while residents that falls under category G will pay the least.

It is also mentioned that there are four different types of property tax payment which the owner can get rebate ranging from 3 per cent to 20 percent.

For ‘advance deposit for taxes’, if deposits are in excess of 75 percent of the tax dues determined at the time of filing the self-assessment return of annual property value and property tax; the owner will be benefited with 20 percent rebate of the tax payable.

For option to pay the entire tax in one instalment before June 30 or in case of first time assesse who pays the entire sum in one instalment the owner will be benefitted with 10 percent rebate of the tax payable.

For option to pay the entire tax in two instalments before June 30 and December 31 of the assessment year the owner will be benefitted with 6 percent rebate of the tax payable.

Lastly for option to pay the entire tax in four instalments before June 30, September 30, December 31 and last day of February of the assessment year, the owner will be benefitted with 3 percent rebate of the tax payable.

While facilitating the first time property tax payer of Manipur, commissioner IMC, Joyce Kemp congratulated the initiatives of Chandan on being first citizen of Manipur as property tax payer.

Deputy commissioner, IMC, Thokchom Siddhartha said the amount of property tax will be different for pucca house, semi-pucca house and kaccha houses. The amount will be calculated for the constructed site only not for the vacant area.

He said the tax collected from the property owner will be utilised in developmental activities including cleaning of drainage system, construction and renovation of drains and others in the municipal areas.

Officials of IMC has already completed field survey in IMC area. During the survey the officials has already provided a 17 digit Unique Property Identification Number (UPIN) for each households, he added.

He appealed the public to cooperate while paying property tax for the development of IMC areas.