Authorities levy house tax in Southern Shan State

_{By Kwarn Lake/ Chaiya}

On 23 February, a group of officials led by Sai San Thein, from Excise Department based Langkher arrived in Mong Pan and estimate the value of houses belong to civilians in the town and levied taxes.
 
"They looked especially for bigger or better houses. Some houses were just built a few years ago and some are as old as 20 years. They checked the size of the house, and its features such as the quantity of wood used for the house and appraise the price of it," he said.
 
About 280 households were demanded to pay house taxes, the source said.
 
"As for U Sara Maung Maung's house and U Palin Than's house they (authorities), calculated at Kyat 80 million ($64,000) each and demanded Kyat 6.5 million ($5,200) each a year," he added.
 
"They also informed house owners that the taxes have to be paid before 29 February and interests, from 10 percent up to 50 percent of the tax would be charged as extra if they pay later," he said.
 
Authorities have also warned house owners that there would be no negotiation on the amount of taxes imposed, another local source said.
 
Tax officials are reportedly planning to collect house taxes in other townships of the district, added the source.
 
In Langkher district, there are townships including Langkher, Mong Pan, Mong Nai, Kengtawng, Mawkmai and Ho Mong.