Delhi residents now have the opportunity to geotag their properties until the end of February to qualify for a 10% rebate on lumpsum advance tax payment in the subsequent financial year, following an extension announced by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi or MCD. The initial deadline for geotagging properties was January 31. The initiative, led by the AAP-led Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), seeks to establish a comprehensive database of property tax records using advanced technology, , according to Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi.

The MCD's objective was to geotag 15 lakh properties within two months, offering rebates to those who comply. The recent initiation of property geotagging by the civic body prompted the earlier announcement that failure to geotag by January 31 would result in taxpayers forfeiting the 10% rebate on lumpsum advance tax payment in the upcoming financial year.

The extension was in response to challenges faced by iPhone (iOS) users in geotagging their properties due to technical glitches. The civic body assured a prompt resolution. Consequently, the deadline for geotagging properties has been extended to February 29. However, it is emphasized that non-compliance will result in property owners being unable to avail the rebate on lumpsum tax payment by June 30, 2024, in the subsequent financial year (2024-25). The civic body urges all property owners or occupiers who have not yet geotagged their properties to do so by the revised due date.

"If the taxpayers fail to geotag their properties, they cannot avail of the rebate on lumpsum payment of tax by June 30, 2024, in the next financial year (2024-25). All property owners or occupiers who have not geotagged their properties so far are requested to geotag their property by the due date," MCD added.

What is geo-tagging of properties?

Geotagging properties involves associating a distinct Latitude-Longitude coordinate with each property on a GIS map. This is achieved by linking the current location to a unique property identification code, ensuring that each property has its location pinpointed with specific Latitude-Longitude coordinates. Once a property undergoes geotagging, it becomes effortlessly traceable in a geographical context, allowing for the effective utilization of this information in enhancing the delivery of various services to citizens.