Citizen forums seek change in property tax valuation

Taxpayers' Association and APUCF demand repeal of Act 44/2020; criticise property tax hike and late payment fines

Members of the Taxpayers’ Association and A.P. Urban Citizens’ Federation(APUCF) have demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Act 44/2020, which calculates tax on urban property based on the capital value instead of rental value.

At a roundtable held in Vijayawada on Tuesday, leaders from various citizen forums expressed concern over the property tax hike from the month of April.

CPI (M) leader and APUCF convenor Ch. Babu Rao highlighted that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) had opposed the new property tax system introduced by the previous YSRC-led government before elections and promised to review it if elected. However, the TDP has not fulfilled this promise.

The members demanded that the property tax hike be withdrawn, while criticising the announcement of 24% fine on the late tax payments.

“Water and drainage taxes are being increased annually by 7%. This has to stop,” said Mr. Babu Rao. He suggested that instead of relying on property tax as the main source of income for municipal bodies, funds should be allocated from various taxes paid by the people to the State and Central government.

A member of the Taxpayers’ Association M.V. Anjaneyulu said: “We have already written to the Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development Ponguru Narayana, demanding the Act 44/2020 be repealed and property tax hike be stopped.”

The roundtable meet was attended by members from the Hotels Association, Pensioners’ Association, Bank Employees’ Federation of India, Colony Associations’ Federation. The members resolved to write another letter to the government listing their demands.