Pay Property Tax Online at Chennai Corporation Web .. some useful tips.

The bustling metropolis ~ Chennai city which according to provisional results of 2011 census, has  4.68 million residents and a few more millions floating is  the fourth most populous metropolitan area in the country and 31st largest urban area in the world. Chennai's economy has a broad industrial base in the automobile, computer, technology, hardware manufacturing and healthcare sectors.  The city of Chennai is maintained by Corporation of Chennai.

The Corporation of Chennai (previously Madras) is the Oldest Municipal Institution in India established on the 29th September 1688. A charter was issued on the 30th December, 1607 by East Indian Company constituting the "Town of Fort St. George" and all the territories thereunto belonging, not exceeding the distance of ten miles from the Fort, into a Corporation.  There are various aspects including maintenance of roads; providing electricity, metro water; removal of solid waste etc., that are managed by the Corporation.  It is administered by the  200 councillors, headed by the Worshipful Mayor.  There are Deputy Commissioners and various Heads of Departments and 15 Zonal Officers at present.

Do you know that most of the transactions pertaining to Chennai Corporation  can be made “On line” through its friendly web : http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/  ???

The need for prompt and timely payment of taxes by all the citizens need not over stated – for it is our responsibility as good citizens to pay tax promply.. There are the : Property Tax, Water tax; water charges etc.,  A property tax is a levy on property that the owner is required to pay. The tax is levied by the governing authority of the jurisdiction in which the property is located.  The state list in the VII schedule of the Indian Constitution provides for the levy of property tax. The tax is designated as “Taxes on lands and buildings”. Property tax is by far the main stay of Municipal finance in the State. This tax possesses the essential characteristics of a good tax.  The three stages are : levy or declaration of liability; Assessment and collection.  All buildings and lands unless exempted under the statutes are liable to property tax.  In deciding liability – it could be on reasonable letting basis or capital cost basis.

Today I tried paying the Property tax online.. For this one need to log on to : http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/

The Online payment does help us for one need not stand in queues and can pay at their convenient timing.  Further link to the digitized property data for computation of tax will eliminate scope for undervaluing the property for taxation purpose and this will ensure greater revenue mobilisation for the corporation. For making Online payment  of Property tax, one need to know their Zone No. ~ Ward No. and Bill No.  These details can be seen on your Property Tax assessment book.

Now a small hurdle….. there were earlier 10 Zones ~ now they are 15 in number.  Last time when I paid in Feb 2013, Triplicane [my street]  fell under Zone 6 – Ward no. 90.  Now it has changed…. It is Zone no. 9 [Teynampet Zone] and Ward No. 116…….  How does find out the new Bill no. without which payment cannot be made Online.  I got struck ~ and at 21.15 hrs, I telephoned the local Councillor……..  Councillor for Ward no. 116 is Mr B Srinivasan @ MGR Vasan – who is easily accessible on mobile and always politely and readily attend to the calls of public.  It was another pleasant interaction and he provided the telephone of the Corporation Official who also readily helped. 

On the website of CoC, on the Right hand side, One can find the link – Property Tax payment – upon clicking it leads to Property Tax New bill no. search – whereupon providing details of your erstwhile Zone / Ward no.  and the bill no. – you get your new Bill no.

Now you are armed with enough details, just click the Online Civic services on the LH side, and proceed with hassle-free experience of paying your Property tax Online through Credit / Debit card or Internet banking.

Pay your Taxes without delay…. Be a responsible citizen

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.

23^rd Aug 2013 @ 10.15 pm.