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Microlesson · 5-min read

Municipal Tax — Deduction from GAV

# Municipal Tax (Deduction from GAV → NAV)

Municipal Tax is the only deduction allowed from Gross Annual Value (GAV) to arrive at Net Annual Value (NAV).

## What qualifies as Municipal Tax

Any tax paid to the Municipality or Local Authority, including:

  • Water tax
  • Local tax
  • Property tax
  • Corporation tax
  • Sewerage tax

## Four Strict Conditions for Deduction

1. Payment basis only — Deduction is allowed only in the year of actual payment. It is NOT allowed on a due/accrual basis. Even arrears (past years' tax) paid during the current PY are deductible.

2. Paid by the owner — Only if the owner/landlord pays. If the tenant pays municipal tax, the owner gets NO deduction.

3. In respect of let-out / deemed let-out property — Self-occupied property has NAV = Nil; municipal tax is not deductible because NAV is already zero.

4. Conversion when given in % — If municipal tax is expressed as a percentage (e.g., 10% of municipal value), apply that % on Municipal Value to compute the rupee amount.

## NAV Formula

```

NAV = GAV – Municipal Tax (paid by owner during the PY)

```

Worked example

### Example 1

Question: GAV of a let-out property is ₹3,00,000. Municipal value is ₹2,80,000. Municipal tax is 10% of municipal value. The owner paid ₹20,000 of current year tax and ₹8,000 of arrears during the PY. Compute NAV.

Solution:

  • Municipal tax for the year = 10% × ₹2,80,000 = ₹28,000
  • But deduction is on payment basis, so allow = ₹20,000 (current) + ₹8,000 (arrears) = ₹28,000
  • NAV = ₹3,00,000 – ₹28,000 = ₹2,72,000

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Deducting municipal tax on accrual basis (the amount levied) instead of the amount actually paid.
  • Allowing deduction when the tenant has paid the municipal tax — only owner's payment qualifies.
  • Forgetting to apply the percentage on Municipal Value when the question gives municipal tax as a %.
  • Deducting municipal tax for a self-occupied property where NAV is already Nil.
Reference:
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