The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Ratepayers resent tax hike

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Ratepayers resent tax hike

Correspondent

Kakinada: The AP Municipal Ratepayers and Civic Welfare Association has expressed resentment over the move of the civic bodies to hike property tax. Secretary of the association PSRK Thimmajirao said the demand notices for property taxes should be issued within the half year commencing first April but not done this year, though heading for the second half year that commences on October 1.This lapse, he said, was due to issuing of special notices long after the commencement of the first half year, which is again slow and tardy. After receipt of the special notice, he said, the rate payer was entitled to file revision petition that has to be dealt with by enquiry followed by confirmatory order. Then only the demand notice could be issued and the taxpayer is entitled to file appeal or take legal action questioning the legality of levy.

As a result, he said, the civic bodies would be losing the revenue for the first half and the tax payer would have the burden of paying entire tax at one time. Mr. Thimmajirao said in the present dispensation, the tax hike was abnormal for commercial buildings, which are already taxed heavily.

He wanted the Government to issue suitable instructions to the local bodies to retain the existing tax or make normal increase.

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