AMC Lacks Data on Over 60,000 Vehicle Tax Defaulters

Ahmedabad : The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) tax department is facing a significant data gap, unable to confirm the vehicle tax status of over 60,000 vehicle owners. Between 2019 and 2021, the AMC obtained information from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) and issued tax notices to 64,412 vehicle owners, recovering approximately ₹2.47 crore. However, following vehicle sales, tax responsibility typically shifts to dealerships, complicating AMC’s ability to track unpaid taxes.

Reports reveal that AMC relied heavily on RTO data to issue notices, particularly for vehicles registered in Subhash Bridge and Vastral. When individuals purchase new vehicles, dealers generally manage the vehicle’s lifetime tax and provide relevant documentation to the owner. Despite this arrangement, AMC lacks details on how many vehicles were registered with the RTO in 2022 and 2023 or how much revenue was generated from vehicle taxes during these years.

In a recent revenue committee meeting, AMC tax department officials were asked to provide detailed information on all categories of vehicles registered within AMC’s jurisdiction, including the number of vehicle owners and outstanding tax amounts. However, tax officials were unable to supply this information, highlighting a data management issue within the department.

The committee emphasized the need for improved oversight and directed the tax department to issue unpaid tax notices to all vehicle owners with outstanding dues. This directive aims to close the gap in vehicle tax revenue and ensure greater accountability.

The absence of up-to-date records presents challenges for AMC in tracking unpaid taxes and maximizing revenue, particularly in rapidly growing areas. The case underscores the importance of streamlining data sharing between AMC and the RTO to strengthen tax collection efforts and mitigate revenue losses.