Patna: The Patna Municipal Corporation has reported its highest-ever tax collection, raising around Rs 250 crore in the 2025–26 financial year, driven largely by improved compliance in property tax payments and a targeted recovery drive.
According to officials, nearly 80% of registered property holders cleared their dues during the year, aided by the One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme, which waived penalties and interest to encourage lump-sum payments. The corporation exceeded its property tax and solid waste revenue target of Rs 116 crore, collecting Rs 125 crore from these sources alone. This marks a significant rise from Rs 97.48 crore collected in the previous financial year.
The civic body also reported that government properties contributed approximately Rs 29 crore, although several public institutions still have outstanding dues.
Revenue was generated from 22 streams, including property tax, urban planning fees, real estate charges, parking fees, mutation charges, mobile tower levies, water charges, stamp duty, advertising fees and professional tax. Of the roughly 306,000 registered holdings within the city, about 245,000 paid their taxes before the OTS deadline on March 31, with payments continuing late into the evening on the final day.
Mayor Sita Sahu said a large-scale survey campaign played a key role in expanding the tax base. A team of 924 personnel was deployed across 375 sectors to identify unregistered properties. Buildings without a holding ID were traced using electricity bills and brought under the tax net.
To sustain momentum, the corporation is offering a 5% rebate on advance tax payments for the 2026–27 financial year if paid between April and June.
Municipal commissioner Yashpal Meena said enforcement action was taken against defaulters, with notices issued to 9,435 property holders owing more than Rs 5,000. Collection efforts were monitored through a real-time dashboard, while field staff underwent specialised training and performance reviews.
In an effort to improve accessibility, tax counters at headquarters and zonal offices operated from 7am to 9pm, including on public holidays. The corporation also ran an extensive outreach campaign, sending around 500,000 SMS reminders daily and maintaining follow-up through a central control room. Online payment options were promoted for residents living outside the city, while door-to-door collection services were introduced for senior citizens.
Among government entities, the Building Construction Department emerged as the largest taxpayer, contributing Rs 15.80 crore, followed by A.N. College with Rs 4.37 crore and the CRPF with Rs 1.12 crore. Contributions were also recorded from the energy department and PMCH.
