A new “software charge” on Bengaluru property tax bills — and where e-Khata stands

A “Software Charges” line has started appearing on property tax bills under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), the body that replaced BBMP’s single corporation. A News Karnataka report dated 21 September 2026 says it is listed separately on receipts at ₹200 a year for residential properties and ₹1,000 for commercial properties, and that it has drawn criticism from owners and opposition politicians. Some owners who had already paid their tax for the year reportedly did not see the charge at first.

Separate reporting says digital property services — including some khata and property-record services — may also carry extra charges. The exact list of services and amounts should be checked on the GBA’s own portal or notices, as early reports differ in detail.

e-Khata: the bigger change for buyers

The amount is small; the e-Khata system behind it matters far more to anyone buying. Officials quoted in the same report say nearly 12 lakh e-Khatas have been issued in under two years. Deccan Herald separately reported about 9.11 lakh e-Khata applications received by the GBA, with around 99% processed. The two figures measure different things — certificates issued versus applications — so don’t compare them directly.

• Before you pay a token, ask the seller for the property’s e-Khata and check it on the official portal: the owner’s name, property ID and khata type must match the sale deed.
• A-khata / e-Khata is the regular record and the easiest for home loans. B-khata properties have irregularities — check whether conversion is possible and at what cost before buying.
• Ask for the latest tax receipt and check there are no arrears; tax notices have followed e-Khata issue for some owners.
• For new projects, the builder’s khata for the land and the process for your unit’s khata after registration should be in writing.