THANE: The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has launched a new scheme granting a 90% penalty relief for property tax defaulters to help settle outstanding tax amounts.
According to Thane mayor Sharmila Pimplolkar, the decision followed consultations with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao, aimed at reducing the financial burden on defaulters.
“Under this initiative, residential property owners who clear their pending taxes will only need to pay 10% of the penalty, while the remaining 90% will be waived,” an official stated. Currently, TMC faces Rs 308 crore in tax arrears, with Rs 191 crore expected from penalties. With this waiver, the estimated loss could be around Rs 172 crore if all defaulters take advantage of the scheme,” the official explained. The target for property tax recovery for the fiscal year 2026-26 is Rs 840 crore, with Rs 670 crore already collected. The corporation is keen on maximizing recovery as the fiscal year approaches its end.
Property tax payments can be made at all ward-level collection centers from 10:30 AM to 5 PM on weekdays, and from 10:30 AM to 4 PM on weekends and holidays. Online payments are also available via the TMC website and UPI apps. Additionally, TMC has implemented a WhatsApp and chatbot system for easier payment processing. Some residents, however, have expressed concerns that this provision is unfair to those who pay their bills promptly.
