Wed Mar 19 17:12:30 UTC 2025: ## Bengaluru Property Tax Defaulters Face 100% Penalty

**Bengaluru, March 19, 2025** – Property owners in Bengaluru who fail to pay their property taxes for two consecutive years will now face a 100% penalty, in addition to a 9% annual interest, according to a recent enforcement drive by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). This stricter approach, stemming from the BBMP (Amendment) Act, 2024, is expected to affect approximately two lakh habitual defaulters.

The amendment, while enacted last March, has only recently gained public attention. It outlines a 15% annual interest on overdue amounts and, crucially, a 100% penalty on the unpaid tax from the second year of default onwards for those who fail to pay for two consecutive years. This penalty applies retroactively to defaulters since April 2024.

For example, an owner owing ₹1 lakh would now be liable for ₹2 lakh, plus accumulated interest. While officials argue this is necessary to address long-term defaulters who have ignored settlement options, critics like former councillor N.R. Ramesh warn that the steep penalties may discourage payment and hinder recovery efforts, potentially leading to further harassment of property owners. The BBMP maintains that the measure targets those who have consistently disregarded multiple notices.

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