Bengaluru, Feb 2026: The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has intensified its crackdown on property tax evasion across the city, uncovering nearly ₹688 crore in unpaid property taxes through a technology-driven verification exercise. The drive has already led to the auction of tax-default properties as authorities move to recover long-pending dues and improve civic revenue collections.

Technology-Driven Survey Exposes Large-Scale Evasion

The GBA launched a comprehensive property verification programme using GPS-enabled field surveys and digital mapping tools to compare declared property details with actual built-up areas and usage patterns.

Field teams conducted door-to-door inspections, capturing:

• GPS coordinates of properties
• Actual floor area and number of floors
• Usage category (residential, commercial, or mixed-use)

This data was matched with existing property tax records, revealing widespread discrepancies and under-reporting.

Over 23,000 Properties Found with Tax Discrepancies

Officials said the two-phase survey identified tax evasion in around 23,600 properties across multiple city zones.

• Phase One: Nearly 10,000 properties were found to have evaded about ₹370 crore in taxes.
• Phase Two: An additional 13,600 properties accounted for around ₹318 crore in unpaid dues.

Many of these properties had allegedly underpaid taxes for several years by declaring smaller built-up areas or misclassifying commercial premises as residential units.

Notices Issued and Compliance Window Opened

The authority has issued thousands of show-cause notices to defaulting property owners through physical letters and digital communication channels. Property owners have been given a limited window to:

• File objections or appeals
• Correct their property details
• Pay outstanding tax along with interest and penalties

Officials warned that failure to respond will result in stricter enforcement measures.

Auctions of Tax-Default Properties Begin

As part of recovery efforts, the GBA has already conducted auctions of several tax-default properties in different city zones. These properties belonged to owners who failed to clear dues despite repeated notices.

The auctions mark one of the strongest enforcement steps taken so far and signal a shift from advisory measures to direct recovery actions. More auctions are expected in the coming weeks as the authority targets chronic defaulters.

Boost to Civic Finances and Transparency

The recovery of unpaid property taxes is expected to significantly strengthen the city’s financial position and fund essential services such as:

• Road maintenance
• Drainage and sanitation
• Public infrastructure upgrades
• Urban planning initiatives

Officials said the GPS-based system has also improved transparency and reduced scope for manual manipulation of records.

Next Phase to Cover Remaining Properties

The GBA plans to expand the survey to remaining wards and continue real-time digital verification of new constructions. Property owners have been urged to voluntarily update their records and ensure accurate tax declarations.

The authority reiterated that technology-led governance will remain central to its strategy in curbing tax evasion and ensuring fair contribution from all property holders.

  Bengaluru, GPS Survey, Property Tax, Real Estate Regulation, Urban Governance