PUNE: Owners of around 2 lakh properties have not submitted PT3 forms (mandatory self-occupancy affidavits) for availing 40% tax discount despite repeated extension of the deadline for the same, a PMC official said.
Only owners of 2.5 lakh of 4.5 lakh properties, liable for submission of the forms, have done so, the official said. The deadline for submission of the forms ended on August 15.
The owners might have rented out their properties and hence have not submitted PT3 forms, the official said. The civic administration had carried out a survey of these 4.5 lakh properties, which were expected to fill PT3 forms. The survey found that properties for which the owners had not filled the forms were either locked or had been rented out.
Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) conducted a pilot project on the status of affidavits at Sinhagad Road ward office in June. Several issues were highlighted in the assessment. It was found that some self-occupied properties were wrongly slapped with additional tax. Hence, a decision was taken to conduct a city-wide survey through a ward-wise drive.
Apart from city-wide civic survey, PMC had taken several steps to ensure submission of forms. It had roped in management of housing societies for information on occupancy. But the civic body failed to elicit adequate response in this regard.
“The civic administration is offering a discount for self-occupied properties. But many citizens have not completed the formality. They should follow the process and submit the PT3 forms with other related documents,” said Madhav Jagtap, head of PMC’s property tax department.
According to PMC officials, a special discount of 40% was started in 1970 for self-occupied properties. But the policy was not notified through an act. So, the discount was declared illegal by the auditors of the central govt and scrapped in 2018-2019. After complaints by citizens and property owners, it was restored in 2022-23.
Source Homevior.in
