Andhra Pradesh property tax hikes burden urban homeowners, CPI(M) alleges

The CPI(M) has launched a scathing critique of the Andhra Pradesh government's property taxation policies, contending that urban homeowners face mounting financial pressure from repeatedly rising house taxes. According to party leaders, the shift towards capital value-based property tax assessment has created a cascading burden across the state's cities and towns.

Party spokesperson Babu Rao highlighted that the new taxation methodology has resulted in systematic year-on-year increases, with residents facing property tax hikes of at least 15 per cent annually. The cumulative impact of these rises, the CPI(M) argues, has translated into approximately ₹1,000 crore in additional tax burden shouldered by urban residents.

The allegations underscore growing tension between state authorities and taxpayers over municipal revenue collection methods. Property tax remains a critical source of revenue for urban local bodies in India, yet assessment methodologies frequently spark controversy among residents who view increases as excessive or inequitable.

The CPI(M)'s challenge to the tax regime reflects broader concerns about affordability and economic burden in Andhra Pradesh's urban centres. The party's claims are likely to intensify political debate surrounding the state's fiscal policies and their impact on middle and working-class households.