Calcutta, Feb. 14: The state government has begun the process of simplifying the determination, imposition and realisation of property tax in civic bodies across the state except in the Calcutta and Howrah municipal corporations.

The simplification procedure will cover the rates and classification of properties and valuation norms. Urban development minister Asok Bhattacharya said the aim was to ensure transparency in the valuation procedure.

The tax will be levied on the basis of rent per square feet, as fixed by the state valuation board depending on the location, use, type of structure and its age. The tax rate will be fixed at 6 per cent to 21 per cent of the annual valuation.