NKDA leaves no stone unturned to ease tax payments

Kolkata: The New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) is taking a slew of measures to help and guide tax-payers, so that they have a hassle-free experience while paying property tax under the Unit Area Assessment (UAA) system. The UAA is being implemented in New Town from Monday.

"We have set up a separate 'Corporate Corner' in a smart new office at Utility Building, to help and guide big tax-payers. A senior officer with a dedicated team will give exclusive attention to help the corporate entities in New Town, to file their self-assessment online. The strategy is to mop up large collections quickly," a senior NKDA official said.

NKDA chairman Debashis Sen is writing to a number of big corporate firms, informing them of the special arrangements that have been put in place for their convenience.

NKDA has made a systematic help desk arrangement at 5th floor of Utility Building near Tank no. 3 in New Town, to help every resident pay property tax under UAA.

"We have created a reception and waiting area and dedicated officials will help address all visitors' queries one by one. A token system, similar to that prevailing in many bank branches these days, has been put in place for smooth visitor arrangement. We will also distribute and display leaflets and standees in many parts of New Town to create awareness," the NKDA official added.

Meanwhile, more than 50 Tax Sathis have been trained and are ready to help any resident for self-assessment and payment for first quarter of the first year. For annual payments, a 5 percent rebate is allowed.

Services of Tax Sathis can be availed by residents free of cost. Tax-payers would require their sanctioned building plan, land deed, identity documents, bank IFSC code, account number, PAN, Aadhaar (if any) and other KYC documents, during interactions with 'Tax Sathis', so that they can be easily guided. No physical forms or documents are to be submitted initially by anyone.

According to a senior NKDA official, self-assessment is to be filed online by June 2, 2018.

"There will be a 5 percent rebate on timely payment of quarterly dues and 5 percent discount on yearly dues if paid in the first quarter," he added.

It may be mentioned that New Town has been divided into seven zones for calculation of unit area tax. Each zone has been assigned with a basic valuation per unit area.

The highest Base Unit Area Values (BUAV) is for properties falling under the central business district and the lowest rates are for refugee rehabilitation plots.