C T Online Desk: Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) has started the process of collection of ‘enhanced’ house tax which was suspended five years ago. For this purpose notices of house tax levied to holding owners from 8 revenue circles of CCC are being sent. However, if the building owners have objections, they have the right to appeal according to law. The city Mayor has assured that the tax will be minimised if appealed.
It is known that after the five-year tax revaluation of CCC, in the fiscal year 2017-2018, against the 1 lakh 85 thousand 248 public and private holdings of the city, it is proposed to collect 851 crores 30 lakhs 64 thousand 559 takas , which was previously 131 crores 91 lakhs 87 thousand 41 taka. . However, CCC did not collect the ‘increased’ house tax due to the suspension of the ministry after the objection of the city dwellers. After 5 financial years, CCC started the process to collect the old house tax from the current 2022-2023 financial year. This may increase the ‘tax burden’.
Taxpayers say buildings were previously assessed on a per-square-foot basis. But in the financial year 2017-2018 reassessment is done against the rent or income of the building. In one jump, the tax increased many times. Now if the increased holding tax collection starts, the tenants will also be under pressure along with the building owners. Because the house rent can also increase on the excuse of the house owners.
