All about A Khata Property Tax

If the term ‘A Khata property tax’ confuses you, just know that it is no different from your regular property tax. If you are planning to purchase a property and don’t know the role of this property tax and the A Khata document, keep reading our guide!

What is A Khata property tax?

A Khata property tax is one of the 2 types of property taxes that residents of Bangalore need to pay under the state’s municipal corporation Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). If you are wondering what “khata” means, it stands for a document or register.

If a property in Bangalore has an A khata, it means that it is a legal property, and its owner needs to pay the A Khata property tax. The details of this tax payment will be enlisted in the A Khata certificate, along with other property details.

If you are looking to purchase any building in Bangalore, it is always advisable to make sure it has an A Khata certificate since it is proof that this structure abides by all legal guidelines.

How to verify Khata online?

Step 1: Go to the official e-Swathu website.

Step 2: The first thing you need to do is select your preferred language between Kannada and English on the Google translator pop-up window.

Step 3: On the home page, click on the “Verify” tab. Select “Verify Documents” from the drop-down menu.

a khata property tax — (Source: e-swathu)

Step 4: You will be redirected to a new page, where you need to enter your property document number or Sakala number and then click on “View Document.”

If the document number is a genuine one, the concerned property document will be downloaded on your PC/mobile.

Now, you might feel clueless at this step if you do not know the document number. Well, in that case, you can proceed with the following steps after step 2 instead.

Step 5: On the home page, click on the “Search Your Property” tab.

Step 6: Now, you will be redirected to a new page where you need to choose from “Form-9”, “Form-11B,” and “Survey No.” When you are performing online Khata verification for an A Khata property, choose “Form-9.”

Step 7: Next, select the district, block, Gram Panchayat, and village where the concerned property is located. You can also provide the property ID and owner’s name if known.

Step 8: A list of properties will be displayed with various details like owner’s name, print date, property code, property ID, village name, and asset number. Tally any of these details provided with the respective data known for your desired property to pick out the correct document number and click on it.

Step 9: Once you click on the document number, you will land on the same page as mentioned in step 4, and your A Khata document will start downloading in PDF format on your PC/smartphone if it is registered under the BBMP.

Step 10: Once you click on the downloaded PDF file to open it, the following dialogue box will appear.

Now, there is no need to be worried. Simply copy your document number from the previous screen and enter. Your property document number or Sakala number itself is the password. Click on submit.

After completing this entire procedure, you can view the document that proves the property is a legal one registered under the BBMP. You can refer to the image below to know what an A Khata document looks like.

It will contain the following details:

Ownership
Location
State of occupancy
Size/measurement
Utilisation purpose
Built-up area
Annual property value

Details of A Khata property tax payment

Here, you must always check if “Form-9” is written on top of the document, which indicates it is an A Khata document. Also, look for the digital signature of the issuing authority at the bottom of this khata.

Now that you are acquainted with the process of online Khata check, you must know how convenient the A Khata property tax can make things for you. Keep reading!

Importance of A Khata property tax

Paying property tax on time is extremely important since it facilitates the following processes:

Makes up for municipal funds: You must be aware that your property tax is like a fee you pay to help maintain local civic amenities. It goes to the municipal funds, which is the financial reservoir paying for the wages of municipal workers responsible for maintaining roads, street lights, sewage systems, etc.
Maintains property value: Paying your property taxes helps keep track of the actual value of your building, which in turn can be a boon when reselling it. Also, in many cities, taxpayers are visited by assessors who verify property value and confirm that they are paying the right amount of tax.
Provides tax benefits: With regular property tax payment, you can be eligible for tax deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act if you are still paying taxes under the old regime. Under these exemptions, you can claim costs involved in property transfer, registration, and stamp duty, among other expenses.
Additional discounts for taxpayers: To encourage punctuality, several State Governments offer a rebate of 2%-10% on property tax for those who manage to pay it before the due date.
Helps avoid hefty penalties: According to Section 105(8) of the Karnataka Municipalities Act, 1964, you need to pay a penalty of 2% p.m. on the outstanding amount if you fail to pay your property tax within the due date. Therefore prioritising timely property tax payments can save you these hefty costs.

After you complete the tax payment for your A Khata property, the details will be updated in an A Khata certificate. This document is equally important as the taxation procedure. Here’s how:

In order to enjoy the basic civic amenities like electricity and water supply, an A Khata is necessary. It is your gateway to apply for such services.
Financial institutions check if a property has a valid A Khata when sanctioning any loan against it. So, if you are willing to acquire such financial products, it is always advisable to make sure your property has a valid A Khata document.
You will need this legal document to procure a building license to begin construction on your property.
If your building is a commercial establishment, you will need a valid Khata to get a commercial license.
Last but not least, if you are planning to sell your property, do not think about it unless you have this document. Any buyer will look for the tax payment history of a property and assess its actual value before signing up for it, and the importance of A Khata cannot be overlooked here. It is your responsibility as a property owner to clear all dues and get an A Khata enlisting all the details.

What are the documents required to register for A Khata?

Here is a list of documents that you need to submit to register A Khata.

Latest tax payment receipt
Occupancy Certificate
Building approval plan
Possession certificate (for apartments)
Allotment documents from the respective corporation
Encumbrance Certificate
Betterment charges receipt
Sale deed

Once you have the documents required for A Khata registration, you can proceed with the application process at the earliest.

What you need to understand is that an A Khata is not a proof of property ownership and only identifies the individual responsible for paying taxes. Although it is an important document aiding in the process of property transfer, it does not confer ownership on its own. The document serving that purpose is a transfer deed. However, to be a responsible citizen and for your convenience, prioritise paying your A Khata property tax and get this document updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What will happen if I do not pay my A Khata property tax dues?

Delaying the payment of your A Khata property tax dues even after notices from the municipal corporations can have serious consequences. Besides legal complications, it can even lead to confiscation of said property and your movable properties like furniture under Section 143 of the Karnataka Municipalities Act, 1964. Individuals may also face imprisonment if found defaulting intentionally.

How long does it take for an A Khata certificate to be delivered?

Upon successful application, it can take up to 5 weeks to get your A Khata certificate to be delivered. After application check Khata status online to know whether your request has been processed.

Do I have to pay A Khata property tax against the vacant property?

Yes, you need to pay A Khata property tax even if you own a vacant land. In case you own a vacant building or commercial space that isn’t yielding its normal income, there are provisions to file tax returns against them as loss of property income.