Chennai Residents Allege Property Tax Overcharge; Corporation to Review 1,840 Flats

Residents of 1,840 apartments in Mogappair West, Chennai, have accused the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) of miscalculating property tax assessments for the current year. They are demanding a revision of the assessments, claiming that the GCC has overestimated the built-up area, leading to higher tax bills.

During the Corporation Council meeting on Wednesday, Valasaravakkam Zone chairman Nolambur Rajan highlighted that each family is being forced to pay additional tax, with the total overcharge amounting to ₹30 lakh more than the actual due. Mayor R. Priya responded that the civic body will study the issue and take a decision shortly.

A resident of the apartment complex, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that petitions against the erroneous calculation were submitted in March. “After we pointed out the incorrect assessment, we were forced to pay the tax during the year-end in March. After the elections, we tried again. But we are yet to get a solution. Our community will lose ₹30 lakh per year because of the incorrect calculation,” the resident said.

According to the residents, for a 1,062 sq ft super built-up area of 2BHK apartments as per the sale deed, the GCC has calculated property tax for 1,498 sq ft. Similarly, owners of 1,288 sq ft apartments are being taxed for 1,728 sq ft, and those with 1,657 sq ft flats are paying tax for 2,103 sq ft.

A GCC official said the civic body will check whether the properties have been underassessed. The Corporation has assessed more than 14 lakh properties for tax collection this year.

GCC Commissioner G.S. Sameeran stated, “Regarding property tax mismatch, the councillor was referring to a specific case where he has alleged area mismatch; the concerned property will be remeasured in the presence of the assessee and appropriate action will be taken.”