HUBBALLI: The Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) has extended the 5% property tax rebate through the end of May due to lower-than-expected collections following a delayed start to the payment initiative. The collection process, which was set to kick off on April 1, began instead on April 7.
Initially, the rebate was available for taxpayers who paid their dues for the fiscal year 2026-27 by April 30. However, as collections remained disappointing, the rebate period has now been prolonged until May 31. HDMC has established a property tax collection target of Rs 235 crore for 2026-27, with just Rs 90 crore collected so far. Officials believe this extension will help improve overall collections.
An HDMC representative noted the corporation had set a property tax collection goal of Rs 138 crore in 2023-24, achieving Rs 100.81 crore. For 2024-25, they had a target of Rs 150 crore and succeeded in collecting Rs 138 crore by the end of March. In 2025-26, HDMC surpassed its Rs 188 crore target, collecting Rs 201 crore.
HDMC commissioner Rudresh Ghali shared with TOI that according to a government order, the 5% concession was initially valid until the end of April but has now been extended to the end of May. He encouraged residents to take advantage of this concession, stating, “To date, we have collected Rs 90 crore. Our aim this year is Rs 235 crore, and with the rebate continuing into May, we anticipate improved collections.”
Ghali also mentioned that free GIS services will be provided in July and August, expressing optimism that property tax collections will increase next year as previously unassessed properties come under the tax net.
