Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has collected Rs 607.38 crore as property tax during the first half of financial year (2019-2020) that ended on September 30. It has collected Rs 201.59 crore as professional tax during the period, according to an official release.
In the same period during the last financial year, the civic body had collected Rs 320.21 crore in property tax and Rs 171.4 crore professional tax.
Officials said penalty will be imposed on property tax defaulters from the next financial year. City corporation rules mandate property owners to pay tax within 15 days of every half-year – before April 15 and October 15.
The civic body collects property tax in two terms. There are about 12 lakh buildings in the city. The civic body increased property tax rates by 50% for residences and 100% for commercial properties from last year.