Property GPS survey uncovers ₹370-crore tax evasion; notices issued to 10,000 property owners

Bengaluru

In a major crackdown on property tax evasion, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has identified underpayment of property tax amounting to nearly ₹370 crore by around 10,000 property owners across the city. The detection follows an extensive property tax revision exercise using GPS-based surveys, drone imagery, and special house-to-house inspections.

The exercise, carried out by the GBA’s IT wing in coordination with the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and city corporations, involved physical verification of properties by GPS teams. Officials said the survey revealed that many property owners had paid significantly lower taxes by misreporting built-up area, number of floors, or the nature of property usage.

As part of the process, approximately 49,000 show-cause notices have been generated — averaging five notices per property — corresponding to tax evasion over the past five years. The notices have been issued through multiple channels, including SMS and IVRS calls.

Property owners who have received notices can file replies or appeals online within 15 days through the BBMP Nyaya portal. Alternatively, they may choose to pay the revised tax dues immediately through the BBMP property tax payment portal.

Explaining the mechanism, officials said GPS teams conduct door-to-door visits using a mobile application loaded with existing property tax data. The teams capture the GPS location, usage pattern (residential, commercial or mixed), built-up area and number of floors. This data undergoes 100% quality control before being cross-verified with drone-based digitised maps. Any mismatch between declared and actual property details automatically triggers the generation of notices, including interest and penalties.

According to the GBA, GPS teams currently survey nearly 10,000 properties every day, and authorities have warned that all tax evasion cases will be systematically brought under compliance.

Munish Moudgil, IAS, Special Commissioner (Revenue & IT), Greater Bengaluru Authority, said the system is transparent, technology-driven and aimed at ensuring fairness in property tax administration.