1. Introduction

Taxes are one of the major sources of revenue for the Government which helps them in funding various amenities to be provided to general public of the Country. Taxes are levied on various things such as income tax on income, Goods and Service Tax on goods or services etc. Certain taxes are governed centrally and certain other taxes are state specific and revenues are received by various states for the purpose of funding State budget.

Property tax is one of such tax levied by the State Government through local body on real estate including vacant land year on year basis. This tax is imposed on the owner of the property. Property tax levy is delegated to various municipalities within the states to ensure efficient and smooth maintenance of civic amenities in various localities such as maintenance of local roads, drainage, cleanliness in the area, public parks etc. Property tax being governed by State Government and further delegation to various municipalities results in difference in basis of levy, computation, mode and manner of its payment.

Property that is included for property tax purpose generally includes independent building (residential and commercial), Flats and apartments, Shops, Godowns, vacant land etc.

So owning a property has its own complications and understanding the nuances of property tax is also important for an individual in finance and tax planning as well. In this article we will be simplifying property tax levied by Bengaluru municipality and tax benefits of property tax to help our readers understand and plan their bangalore property tax payment in a better way.

2. About Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Property Tax

Owners of properties in Bengaluru are liable to pay property tax to Bengaluru Municipality body called Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) every year. The municipal body utilises these funds to provide civic facilities in Bengaluru.

The BBMP follows Unit Area Value (UAV) system, for calculating the amount of property tax. The UAV is based on expected returns from the property, depending upon its location and nature of usage of the property.  The computation of property tax is done by multiplying the area of the property by per sq ft tax rate per month (UNIT) that is fixed on the basis of location of the property (AREA) and multiplied by current property tax rate (VALUE).

The jurisdiction of the BBMP is divided into six value zones, based on the guidance value published by the Department of Stamps and Registration. The property tax rate will differ, according to the zone in which the property is located. Click here for zonal classification details for BBMP property tax purpose:

3. Payment of BBMP Property Tax

• Property tax period starts from April of one year and ends on March of subsequent year and tax to be paid within 30 April of the subsequent FY of the financial year (FY). Current property tax FY is 2017-18

• BBMP also offers 5% rebate on property tax paid in one installment within due date stipulated by BBMP

• Delayed payment of property tax attracts interest at 2% per month or 24% per annum

• Property tax can also be paid in two installments without any interest and without rebate

4. Computation of Property Tax

Where G = Gross unit area value arrived by X+Y+Z and

I = G*H/100

X = Tenanted area of property x Per sq ft rate of property x 10 months;

Y = Self-occupied area of property x Per sq ft rate of property x 10 months;

Z = Vehicle parking area x Per sq ft rate of vehicle parking area x 10 months;

H = Percentage of depreciation rate, which depends upon the age of the property

Hence, property tax is equal to 20% of total area of property (tenanted, self occupied and vehicle parking area) multiplied by per sq ft rate fixed by BBMP for each kind of usage of property for 10 months reduced by depreciation allowed by BBMP plus 24% cess on property tax.

Please note that depreciation can be claimed once in block period. No Additional depreciation for the year 2017-18 and 2018-19 if already claimed in 2016-17 as it can be claimed only once in a block period i.e., 2016-17 to 2018-19])

Please refer the below link which provides Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on BBMP property tax which helps in understanding detailed technicalities in computing X, Y and Z values above.

Depreciation rates here

Per sq ft rate based on usage and zonal division here

5. BBMP Property Tax Forms

Anyone paying BBMP tax either manually or online, need to use following 6 forms:

6. How to pay BBMP Property Tax

BBMP property tax can be paid either manually or online.

Online mode

• Go to BBMP property tax portal

• Enter earlier SAS Application Number or PID (both available on last receipt) and click on ‘Fetch’ which will display property owner details

• Click on ‘proceed’ if details displayed are correct and no changes in the property and this will take you to form IV

• If there are any changes in the property such as property usage, built up area or its occupancy, check the box provided on the page and then click on ‘proceed’ which will take you to form V

• Ensure details pre-filled in the form displayed including tax computation are correct and / or modify relevant details in case of change and proceed to pay either fully or in installments and either via online or via challan

• Choosing online payment option will take you to payment page where you can choose to pay either through net banking or credit / debit card and complete the payment. Once the payment is completed, a receipt number will be generated and it takes 24 hours for E-receipt to be available on the portal. Receipt can be printed/downloaded here:

• If you face any problem while paying online and payment is incomplete, you can resume the payment using current SAS Application number here:

• Further, for any problems faced while using online mode, you can contact BBMP either at contactus@bbmp@gmail.com or raise complaint here: 

Manual mode

• Fill all the applicable forms take them to either of the following and pay either by card or a Demand Draft:
• Bangalore 1 centre
• Assistant Revenue Officer offices

Following banks also have been authorised to collect the tax:

• Canara Bank
• Axis Bank
• HDFC Bank
• ICICI Bank

Link to bank branches of authorised bank can be accessed here 

Also interesting to note that BBMP has tied up with the following banks for property tax payment

• IDBI
• Corporation Bank
• Indian Overseas Bank
• YES Bank
• Kotak Mahindra
• Indian Bank
• SBI
• Maharashtra Bank
• Indusind Ban

If you have chosen challan payment while filling the form online, you can pay the tax at any of the above centres or banks.

7. Tax Benefits

Property tax paid can be deducted from Gross Annual Value (GAV) of the property while computing income under house property in the FY in which it is paid if the following conditions are satisfied:

• GAV of the property is not NIL (self occupied house property)
• Property tax is paid by the owner