The Municipal Corporation of Delhi also clarified that there will not be any increase in property tax rates in the financial year 2008-09 and the same rates will prevail as were prevalent during 2007-08. Moreover, the rebates and concessions for property taxpayers that were applicable in the last year will continue in the present.

Delhi Mayor Arti Mehra, Leader of the House, Subhash Arya and Standing Committee chairman Vijender Gupta clarified that the age of senior citizens eligible to avail rebate at the rate of 30 per cent of eligible covered area upto 200 sq m will remain 60 years and not 65. A rebate of 30 per cent will also be allowed in the case of any self-occupied residential building owned by senior citizens, women owned property, physically challenged persons and ex-servicemen. The rebate is available for one residential building within the jurisdiction of National Capital Territory of Delhi.

The 30 per cent rebate to senior citizens, women and physically challenged persons on pro-rata share basis will be permissible, even if the co-owner belongs to other than these categories.

The properties belonging to ex-servicemen upto a maximum of 100 sq m of covered space will be exempted from tax, provided the premise in question is in self-occupation for residential use and not rented.

With regard to the exemption for village abadi areas, the leaders said that the exemption in residential single property under self-use in rural villages will be allowed to the extent of 200 sq m. However, to avail the rebates and concessions announced today the property owners will have to file returns manually in the property tax office of the respective zone and not online as the software is still being upgraded. The use of the on-line system will mean that none of the rebates announced will be applicable.