http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5922_928915,0015002200000017.htm
Filing property tax? Forget the architect
HT Correspondent
New Delhi, August 5
An architect's certificate will no longer be required for specifying the
covered area of any residential or commercial property in Delhi while
filing property tax under the unit area method (UAM).
The clause for submitting an architect's certificate has been withdrawn
in totality irrespective of whether the property is located in an
authorised or unauthorised colony. The decision was taken during the
standing committee meeting on Wednesday, said chairman Mukesh Goel.
An architect's certificate was earlier mandatory for all houses. Later
it was made a must for only houses in unauthorised colonies.
The justification was owners in unauthorised colonies never got building
plans sanctioned and there are no records about their covered area. The
architects' fee was to be 10 per cent of the total tax.
"However, since the new system is based on the self-assessment
methodology, where the onus of giving the correct dimensions is on the
owner of the property, the clause for submitting an architect's
certificate is being done away with. The Delhi Municipal Act too does
not call for an architect's certificate," said Hardships Committee
member Sanjay Puri.
There is a provision within the Act to deal with persons who declare
incorrect dimensions of covered area. "We expect people to make correct
disclosures. Those caught cheating will be penalised," Puri said.
MCD flip-flop
March: CM announces capping. Says tax under new system won’t increase
beyond 2.5 times
April: MCD councillors approve capping
May: MCD says capping will cause revenue loss. Capping rolled back
June: Dharmarajan panel announces sops for senior citizens. Says CM and
MCD has agreed
Aug: MCD rolls back two major recommendations of panel
Rebate: Commercial property-owners will get 5 % rebate for filing within
Sept 15 deadline.