Delhiites Should Geo-Tag Properties This Month; Know All About MCD Property Tax, How To Geo-Tag?

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has extended the deadline for geo-tagging all properties until March 31, 2024. This extension came due to a low compliance rate, with only 2.5 lakh out of 15 lakh taxable residential properties in Delhi being geo-tagged. Residents can geotag their properties and avail 10 per cent rebate on lump sum advance tax payments for the upcoming financial year. Non-compliance with geotagging properties will lead to losing rebate on lump sum tax payments by June 30 in the Financial Year 2024-25. The entire property tax paid in one lump sum before June 30, 2024, is given a rebate of 10 per cent on total tax.

Several iPhone (iOS) users faced challenges in geotagging their properties due to technical glitches and the overall low compliance rate prompted this extension of deadline.

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Geo-Tagging Mandatory For All Property Owners

Geo-tagging, mandatory for all property owners, involves digitally mapping properties using a Geographic Information System (GIS). This process assigns latitude and longitude coordinates, to your property. Your property becomes easily locatable on a geographical map, allowing for improved service provisioning to citizens.

The move will also help MCD spot tax evaders. All non-taxpaying properties will be visible on the GIS map. Even non-tax paying properties are urged to geo-tag their properties.

How To Geo-Tag Properties In Delhi?

To geo-tag properties in Delhi, residents can download the UMA Mobile app from the Google Play Store or Apple Store or from the URL: https://mcdonline.nic.in/mcdapp.html.

Log in using your registered mobile number. The app will ask for an OTP. Enter the OTP. New Users not sign-up earlier on the portal, should Sign-up/Register before login. Navigate to the main menu. Select ‘Property Tax’.

You see a list of properties related to your account and name. If the property is not geotagged it will appear in pink colour. After successfully geotagged it will turn into a green colour.

Select the pink-coloured property listed and then click on more options and select geotag. Before geo-tagging, ensure that you are present at the property. Capture the geographic coordinates of your property by selecting the ‘Capture Geo Coordinate’ button.

Capture property photographs and captions. Add details like the name of the building, floor, house number, etc. Only one opportunity for rectification is provided where you can repeat the same process.

Understanding Property Tax Obligations in Delhi

Similar to other states, property tax is an annual obligation for property owners in Delhi. In Delhi, tax rates vary between 7 per cent to 12 per cent for residential properties, where most properties are charged 11 to 12 per cent. In Delhi, note that property owners must get a 15-digit alphanumeric code, mandatory for property tax payment, through the MCD’s portal, mcdonline.nic.in/portal. The deadline is July 31 every year. Late payments incur fines of up to 1 per cent per month.

Property taxes in Delhi are calculated using the unit area value method, which means multiplying the annual value by the tax rate. The annual value is calculated by multiplying the unit area value per square meter by the property's size and also considering factors such as its age, usage, structure, and rental status. Newer and rented-out properties attract higher taxes. To avail of rebates on early lump sum payments, taxpayers should pay property taxes at the earliest.