Thane Municipal Corporation Offers 90% Penalty Relief to Property Tax Defaulters
The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has announced a significant relief scheme for property tax defaulters, offering a 90% waiver on penalty amounts. This initiative, announced by Thane Mayor Sharmila Pimplolkar, aims to clear the backlog of tax arrears and ease the financial burden on defaulters.
The administration consulted with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao before making the announcement. According to officials, the scheme is designed to encourage timely payment of property taxes and reduce the accumulated penalties.
Under the plan, residential property owners who pay their pending taxes will only have to pay 10% of the penalty amount, while the remaining 90% will be waived off. Currently, the corporation is facing a tax arrear of Rs 308 crore, with Rs 191 crore expected to be recovered as penalties. However, with the 90% waiver, the TMC stands to lose approximately Rs 172 crore if all defaulters take advantage of the scheme.
The recovery target for property tax for the 2026-26 fiscal year is Rs 840 crore, of which Rs 670 crore has already been collected. With the fiscal year coming to an end, the TMC is keen on maximizing its recovery. Property tax payments can be made at all ward-level collection centers from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM on working days, and from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM on weekends and public holidays. Online payments are also available via the TMC website and through UPI apps.
To further simplify the payment process, the TMC has introduced a WhatsApp and chatbot system. These measures are intended to make the payment process more convenient for residents. However, some alert residents have raised concerns, arguing that the provision is unfair to those who have been paying their bills on time.
Despite these concerns, the TMC remains committed to the scheme, believing it will help alleviate the financial strain on many residents and improve overall tax compliance in the city.
