Ranchi residents will have to assess their properties, calculate the annual rental value (ARV) and file self-assessment form for holding tax online.
If anyone fails to complete the formalities within three months, Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) will assess the holding tax on its own and charge a fine - Rs 2,000 for residential and Rs 5,000 for non-residential property.
On Sunday, RMC held a workshop to apprise ward councillors and employees of Sparrow Softech, the tax collection agency, of the new property tax assessment system.
Town commissioner Prashant Kumar said under the new Jharkhand Municipality Property Tax (Survey, Collection and Recovery) Rule, 2013, announced by the civic body in mid-January, each household would now have to pay 2.5 per cent of the ARV or total assessment of their properties as yearly holding tax with retrospective effect from April 2014.
The households, which do not have rainwater harvesting structures, will have to pay 1.5 per cent extra.
Kumar said information booklets were available at RMC and ward offices to help people calculate ARV, based on the size, types and locations, and file self-assessment forms on www.ranchimunicipal.com.
This apart, an official from the agency will be available at every ward office from 8-11am daily for assistance.
"Besides, RMC will hold camps in different parts of the city every Sunday," he said.
He added that officials from the agency would then visit houses to collect taxes along with the arrears as calculated by the online system.
They would also upload photographs of properties from three sides along with the addresses and other details in the RMC database. Later, RMC officials will cross-check the details by visiting the sites.
"RMC officials will go for surprise inspections. And if anyone is found to be hiding information, he will be liable to pay fine along with the difference amount, said Kumar.
Those facing difficulty in filing the online assessment forms can contact Sparrow Softech on toll-free number 18001212241. Agency officials will visit their houses and help them upload their forms.
Councillors, however, raised objections to the new tax assessment system.
