“It is necessary to do a proper evaluation of land and houses and bring them under tax net before the implementation of the policy,” said Gyawali.[break]
Under the policy, a separate file of every household will be prepared and all of them will be brought under the tax net. The members of the taskforce however fear that the implementation of IPT will be troublesome as the tax rate will be higher than the existing land revenue, and land and housing tax.
After the implementation of the integrated property tax, people will pay either land revenue or land and housing tax.
Out of the total 33 municipalities, only 22 municipalities have implemented the integrated property tax so far.
Gyawali explained that the city dwellers will not have to bear the additional burden of the tax as productivity will be considered as the major factor for the tax evaluation. He further added that the city dwellers have agreed on the implementation of IPT after knowing that they will not have to pay higher tax rate.
It is believed that the implementation of integrated property tax will open doors for the donor agencies and will enhance developmental activities in the municipality. Lekhnath Municipality told Republica that the donor agencies have been putting forth the requirement of integrated property tax for donations.
Related story
Pokhara Lekhnath Metropolis changes its name
