Ghaziabad residents who have been fretting over their pending property tax payments have some breathing room. The Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation (GMC) has officially extended the deadline for filing property tax returns for the financial year until September 30. The earlier deadline was June 30, which had already seen a good number of early payers, but many residents had been requesting more time.
The decision comes as part of the corporation’s effort to encourage more people to clear their dues without penalties. Officials said the response so far has been promising, with a larger number of property owners coming forward compared to last year. The extension is expected to give an additional push to those who were holding back.
Municipal commissioner Gaurav Chauhan confirmed that the corporation had been receiving frequent requests from residents and resident welfare associations to extend the date. He explained that many people had faced delays in arranging payments, while others were waiting for property-related disputes to be settled before paying.
The GMC has made it easier for residents by continuing its online payment system, which allows people to pay without visiting municipal offices. Property owners can log into the GMC website, check their dues, and make the payment directly. This digital option has been credited with reducing long queues and saving residents the trouble of multiple visits.
However, the extension is not just about convenience. A key reason for the delay, according to local voices, is the new tax calculation system introduced by the corporation. Under this system, property tax is being calculated based on the type of property and its usage. For example, a residential house, a commercial building, and a mixed-use property are taxed differently. The new method also factors in the structure’s size and its location within the city.
Many residents have claimed that the revised rates are much higher than last year, and that this has caught them off guard. Several said they needed more time to understand the new slabs and confirm the accuracy of their tax assessment. A resident of Raj Nagar said he was shocked to see his tax amount jump by almost 30 percent compared to last year. He pointed out that the increase was too steep for middle-class families already struggling with other expenses.
Municipal officials have acknowledged that there has been confusion over the new rates, especially among those who own old properties or those located in developing areas. They have assured residents that the corporation will address genuine errors in assessment and provide clarifications wherever needed.
For those who pay early, the GMC is continuing with its rebate scheme. Property owners who clear their dues before the extended deadline can avail up to 20 percent rebate. This rebate is seen as a major incentive for prompt payment and is expected to help boost the corporation’s revenue collection.
Officials added that the city’s growing needs make timely tax payment important. Property tax is one of the primary sources of revenue for the municipal body, funding services like road repair, street lighting, waste management, and maintenance of public parks. With Ghaziabad’s expanding population and rapid urbanisation, these services are in higher demand than ever before.
Resident welfare associations have welcomed the extension, saying it will help people comply without feeling pressured. One RWA president from Vasundhara said that while some members had already paid, many were planning to do so before the new deadline to benefit from the rebate. He added that clear communication about the new calculation system would make the process smoother in the future.
The GMC is also planning awareness drives in different localities to educate property owners about how their tax is calculated. This includes setting up help desks at municipal offices and circulating informational leaflets. The corporation hopes that such initiatives will reduce disputes and improve public trust.
As the new September 30 deadline approaches, the challenge for the civic body will be to ensure that this extension translates into higher collections, not further delays. For now, residents have a little over seven weeks to settle their dues, check their calculations, and take advantage of the rebate.
The urban infrastructure is closely linked to civic revenue; timely tax payment is not just a legal obligation but a shared responsibility. Whether the extension will lead to a record collection or yet another rush in the final week remains to be seen.
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