e-Khata Drive: Bengaluru Property Owners Face Heat as BBMP Cracks Down on Tax Misreporting

In Bengaluru, property owners who opted for the e-Khata system are now grappling with unexpected challenges. Introduced to streamline property ownership and enable smooth transactions, the e-Khata was seen as a digital upgrade. However, with over 6 lakh property owners enrolled, discrepancies have emerged that are now being flagged by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

BBMP Flags Discrepancies in SAS Declarations

A major concern stems from incorrect property declarations under the Self-Assessment Scheme (SAS). This scheme allowed property owners to declare the area and type of their properties. However, many have underreported or misreported their property details, either due to oversight or in an attempt to evade property tax.

As a result, BBMP officials have initiated a tax compliance drive, issuing notices to owners with mismatched data between their SAS IDs and e-Khata records.

Notices Issued, 15-Day Deadline for Property Owners

The BBMP has begun sending official notices to affected property owners. They have been given 15 days to respond with accurate information. Failure to comply may result in property revaluation, backdated tax collection, and penalties.

Although the exact penalty amount is yet to be disclosed, officials have confirmed that strict action will be taken against those who fail to regularize their property tax details.

₹60 Crore Expected in Tax Recovery

The BBMP revenue department has identified around 26,000 property owners who have under-declared or falsely reported their property details. The ongoing scrutiny is expected to recover ₹60 crore in dues from these individuals. This effort is part of a broader strategy to bring all properties into the tax net and ensure transparency and compliance.

e-Khata Transparency Uncovers Gaps

The transparency enabled by e-Khata is now revealing long-standing inconsistencies in property tax declarations. Many property owners who had earlier escaped scrutiny are now facing the consequences of inaccurate self-assessments.

The BBMP urges all property owners to verify their records, correct any discrepancies, and avoid potential legal and financial trouble.

With the BBMP intensifying efforts to recover unpaid property taxes and ensure accountability, property owners in Bengaluru must act quickly. The e-Khata system, while intended to simplify property management, is also holding owners to higher standards of accuracy and transparency.