CHENNAI: During the first half of the 2025–26 financial year, the Greater Chennai Corporation collected ₹910 crore in property tax, aiming for a target of ₹1,100 crore from April to September. Civic officials announced plans to ramp up collection efforts to meet the financial goal.
To enhance compliance, the Corporation is providing various online and offline payment solutions, as well as sending reminders to defaulters.
In past years, the civic body organized special camps specifically for property tax collection; however, this year saw no such events, as more taxpayers opted for online payments.
Officials noted that digital reminders and simplified payment processes have improved collection rates in recent years. “We are optimistic about reaching our target in the next two days. We are compiling a list of defaulters from both the last financial year and the current half-year, which will be monitored zone-wise by revenue officials,” stated GCC city revenue officer K. Magesh.
The GCC has been utilizing WhatsApp to send reminders embedded with QR codes enabling instant payments since April. “This strategy has significantly aided in collections, preventing property owners from incurring penalties. Further reminders are disseminated through pamphlets and newspaper ads,” he added.
In addition, ₹143 crore was gathered from professional tax.
Recently, the GCC expanded the QR code payment facility to include commercial tax, placing a common QR code in shopping complexes, while individual businesses receive separate codes. This method minimizes personal contact, allowing taxpayers to make payments and obtain acknowledgments more efficiently.
In FY 2024-25, many taxpayers chose to pay early to avail incentives, especially during the second half of the fiscal year, resulting in the civic body collecting over ₹2,000 crore in property tax, marking the highest amount recorded.
