Mangaluru: In a bid to enhance revenue and improve civic services, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has launched a special campaign to strengthen property tax collection across the city. A campaign vehicle was recently flagged off as part of the initiative, and the corporation plans to conduct focused drives to recover pending dues from property owners.
MCC Commissioner Ravichandra Naik said that Self-Assessment Scheme (SAS) property tax will be collected with a 3 per cent hike, in accordance with the government order. He urged citizens to pay their property tax on time every year without fail to support the city’s development activities.
3% annual hike as per government order
The commissioner explained that based on the market value for 2023-24, the civic body has been increasing property tax by 3 per cent annually. For the financial year 2025-26, the corporation will continue to levy property tax with a 3 per cent hike as directed by the Administrator and Deputy Commissioner Darshan H V.
Officials clarified that the revision is part of a structured policy to align tax collection with updated property valuations and to ensure steady revenue growth for urban infrastructure and maintenance.
The commissioner emphasised that property tax is one of the primary sources of income for the civic body and plays a crucial role in funding essential services such as road maintenance, waste management, street lighting and drainage systems.
Online payment options available
To make the process more convenient, citizens need not visit the MCC office in person to pay their dues. “Sitting at home, property owners can pay the tax using the online link provided by the corporation or visit Karnataka One centres,” the commissioner said.
He added that timely payment of property tax will enable the MCC to undertake various development projects efficiently. “If residents pay property tax every year on time, the corporation will have adequate funds to implement infrastructure and public welfare works. Citizens should join hands with the MCC for the overall development of the city,” he appealed.
The civic body has also been promoting digital payment methods to reduce crowding at offices and streamline revenue collection.
Drive to recover pending dues
The commissioner noted that a significant number of property owners have not cleared dues from previous years. As a result, the MCC will initiate a dedicated drive to collect all pending property tax arrears.
“Property owners should immediately clear dues of previous years to avoid action as per law,” he warned. Officials indicated that notices would be issued to defaulters, and legal measures could be taken if arrears remain unpaid.
According to MCC data, the city has approximately 2.2 lakh properties spread across 60 wards. The number of registered properties varies periodically due to additions, new constructions, demolitions and modifications.
Ward-wise survey underway
To ascertain the exact number of taxable properties and plug revenue leakages, the corporation began a ward-wise survey in the first week of January. The objective is to update records, identify unassessed or under-assessed properties and improve overall tax compliance.
Officials believe that the survey will help the corporation broaden its tax base and enhance transparency in property assessment. By ensuring that all eligible properties are brought under the tax net, the MCC aims to strengthen its financial position and reduce dependence on external grants.
The campaign vehicle flagged off by the corporation will create awareness among residents about the importance of timely tax payment and the consequences of non-compliance.
With urban infrastructure demands steadily rising, the civic body hopes that improved property tax collection will provide the financial backing needed for sustained development. Authorities have reiterated that citizen cooperation is essential for building a better and more efficiently managed city.