Mysuru: The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) achieved a record 88.4% property tax collection by the end of Dec 2025, the highest ever for the civic body.In previous years, tax collection did not cross the 80% mark by year-end. Officials attributed the improvement to new measures introduced this year, including publishing the names of major defaulters—individuals, commercial establishments and govt organisations—on the corporation’s official website.The initiative, implemented for the first time, significantly boosted compliance compared to earlier years.The list included top defaulters from both commercial and large residential categories. After issuing multiple notices and reminders, MCC adopted this public-disclosure strategy to strengthen revenue recovery, helping it achieve its highest-ever property tax collection.Other measures such as involving selected women self-help group members for tax collection in specific wards, door-to-door collection, SMS alerts to major defaulters, and an awareness drive urging taxpayers to avail the 5% rebate offered in the initial months of the financial year also contributed to the improved performance.MCC achieved 79.06% for the corresponding period ending Dec during the fiscal year 2024-25, with a property tax collection of Rs 198.8 crore. In 2023-34, MCC registered a property tax collection of Rs 164.2 crore.MCC also sent mobile SMS text messages to big property tax defaulters about the impending consequences if their outstanding taxes were not cleared. There are 1,83,000 properties within MCC limits. Property tax is one of the important sources of revenue for MCC, along with other sources like trade licence and building licence fees.Speaking to TOI, MCC deputy commissioner (revenue) Somashekhar said that special measures and strategies, including publishing the list of big property defaulters on its official website, proved highly effective in property tax collection this year compared to previous years. MCC targeted 100% property tax collection by the end of March for fiscal year 2025-26, he stated.“MCC must come up with some other measures to boost its revenue by simplifying property tax collection, such as sensitising taxpayers to pay property tax like they pay water cess and power tariff bills every month without fail,” said Mohan Kumar, a resident of Vidyaranyapuram. “Besides, it must avoid taxpayers moving from pillar to post for tax payments,” he said.
