Many Kerala property owners still type "Sanchaya tax payment" into Google and land on the old portal URL only to find it either redirects them or shows a notice saying the service has moved. That is a frustrating experience, especially when a tax deadline is close.
Here is the short answer: The Sanchaya property tax service for municipalities and corporations has moved to KSMART. The new portal address is ksmart.lsgkerala.gov.in, and that is where you need to go for building tax payment in Kerala right now.
This guide walks you through everything what changed, how to pay online, how to get your receipt, and how to apply for an ownership certificate.
Sanchaya was the first major step Kerala took toward digitising property tax and local body revenue services. The Information Kerala Mission (IKM) built and managed it. For years, property owners across the state used it to pay building tax, apply for certificates, and look up their property records online.
In 2024, the Kerala Government launched KSMART short for Kerala Solution for Managing Administrative Reformation and Transformation. The idea was to bring all 1,200+ local bodies (gram panchayats, municipalities, and corporations) onto one single platform instead of scattered portals.
Property tax payment for municipalities and corporations moved to KSMART from day one. Some gram panchayats still use Sanchaya for a few services, but if your property is within a municipal or corporation area, KSMART is your portal.
The old Sanchaya URL (tax.lsgkerala.gov.in) redirects to KSMART now. But it is faster and safer to go directly to ksmart.lsgkerala.gov.in.
Once you are on the KSMART portal, you can handle most property-related tasks without visiting any office:
Kerala uses the plinth area method for property tax calculation. The tax is worked out based on the total built-up area of your building including wall thickness at each floor multiplied by the rate fixed by the local body.
A few things affect how much tax you pay:
Type of use: Commercial properties pay more than residential ones. Rates differ because local bodies set them separately for each category.
Location: The local body your property falls under determines the rate. A house in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and one in a small panchayat will have different tax amounts even with the same plinth area.
Luxury tax: Buildings with large floor areas, multiple rooms, and premium amenities attract an additional luxury tax over and above the regular property tax. This is calculated on the property's market value.
Property tax in Kerala is paid in half-yearly instalments. Due dates are announced by each local body. Missing the deadline means paying interest on the unpaid amount. And if you need a property certificate urgently like for a bank loan or court matter unpaid tax dues can delay its issuance.
This is the faster option. You do not need an account or registration just your property's door number and a payment method.
Step 1: Open your browser and go to ksmart.lsgkerala.gov.in
Step 2: On the home page, click "Property Tax Quick Pay"
Step 3: A form will appear. Fill in:
Step 4: Click "Search"
Step 5: The screen will show your property details and any pending tax amount. Go through this before proceeding confirm it is the right property.
Step 6: Select the payment period, enter your mobile number, and click "Pay Now"
Step 7: Choose a payment mode UPI, debit card, credit card, net banking, RTGS, NEFT, or mobile wallet and complete the transaction
The receipt usually appears right after successful payment. Download it then and there; it saves you time later.
If you want all your payments tracked in one account, or if you manage more than one property, registering on KSMART is the better route.
Step 1: Go to ksmart.lsgkerala.gov.in and click "Register"
Step 2: Choose "Citizen Registration" and fill in your details. You can register using your Aadhaar, PAN, or Voter ID. Verify with the OTP sent to your mobile number.
Step 3: Once logged in, click "New Application" and then select "Property Tax"
Step 4: Under Tax Payments, click "Pay Tax by Search"
Step 5: Enter your property details district, local body type, local body name, ward year, ward, and door number then click "Search"
Step 6: Check the property and pending demand information that appears on screen
Step 7: Pick your payment period, enter your mobile number, and click "Pay Now"
Step 8: Complete the payment through your preferred method
Receipts do not always get saved automatically if you close the tab too soon. Here is how to get them later:
Step 1: Go to ksmart.lsgkerala.gov.in
Step 2: Click "Download Receipt" on the home page
Step 3: Enter your mobile number and click "Get OTP"
Step 4: Type in the OTP you receive
Step 5: A list of your payment receipts will appear. Open and download the one you need.
Paid but no receipt showing? Wait up to 24 hours after payment. Sometimes there is a short delay on the portal's end. Then try the steps above again. Do not make a second payment assuming the first one failed check your bank statement first.
The ownership certificate is a government-issued document that confirms your name as the legal owner of a property. It also mentions whether you hold freehold or leasehold rights. Banks ask for it during loan applications. Courts need it for property disputes. Municipal offices use it for transfer and mutation requests.
Getting it through KSMART is straightforward:
Step 1: Log in to ksmart.lsgkerala.gov.in
Step 2: Click on the "Building Certificate" or "Residence Certificates" tab
Step 3: Your registered properties will be listed. Click the action icon next to the one you need.
Step 4: A preview of the building or residence details will open. Read through it, complete the declaration, enter the OTP when the portal asks for it, and click "Submit"
Step 5: Your application is sent for officer approval. You do not need to follow up in person.
Step 6: Once the official approves it, go back to the same section. Click the action icon and select "Download Certificate"
The downloaded certificate carries a digital signature and is legally valid. Schools, banks, and courts accept it without needing a physical stamp or an additional offline verification.
Yes. KSMART works from anywhere in the world. The portal accepts international credit and debit cards along with NRE net banking. There is also an email-based registration option added in 2026, so NRIs who do not have an active Indian mobile number can still register and log in. You do not need a local representative or family member to pay your Kerala building tax on your behalf anymore.
What You Want to Do
How to Do It
Login Needed?
Pay property tax fast
Quick Pay on KSMART
No
Pay and keep records
Login method on KSMART
Yes
Download old receipt
Download Receipt tab
No (OTP only)
Get ownership certificate
Building Certificate section
Check application status
Application Status tab
No (app number needed)
Contact support
Call 0471-2773160
Official portal
ksmart.lsgkerala.gov.in
Door number search returns no results: Your property data may not have been entered under that number. Try searching by owner name instead. If that also fails, use the "Data Entry Request" option on the portal to report the missing property.
Still going to tax.lsgkerala.gov.in: That is the old Sanchaya URL. It should redirect to KSMART, but if it does not work properly on your device, go directly to ksmart.lsgkerala.gov.in.
Payment went through but receipt did not come: Do not panic and do not pay again. Check your bank statement to confirm the debit. Then go to Quick Pay, click "Transactions", enter your mobile number, verify with OTP, and look for the receipt in your transaction list.
Portal loading very slowly: The KSMART portal gets heavy traffic between 11 AM and 3 PM on weekdays. Try early morning or after 7 PM. Use Chrome or Firefox avoid built-in mobile browsers. If it still does not load, clear your browser cache and try again.
Sanchaya was Kerala's earlier digital platform for property tax and local body revenue services, built by the Information Kerala Mission. Most of its services especially for municipalities and corporations have now moved to KSMART at ksmart.lsgkerala.gov.in.
At ksmart.lsgkerala.gov.in. That is the current official portal for Kerala building tax payment.
No. The Quick Pay option on KSMART lets you pay without creating an account. You only need your door number and property details.
UPI, credit card, debit card, net banking, RTGS, NEFT, and mobile wallets. International cards are also accepted, which is useful for NRI property owners.
Late payment attracts interest as set by your local body. Beyond a certain point, unpaid dues can block the issuance of property documents like the ownership certificate. Check the due date on your KSMART account or contact your local body.
Yes. The certificate carries a digital signature and is legally valid across institutions banks, schools, courts, and government offices accept it. No physical stamp is required.
0471-2773160. For portal-related queries, you can also write to the KSMART team through the contact section on the website.
Most panchayats have moved to KSMART, but a few still use Sanchaya for certain services. Check your gram panchayat's notice board or call them directly to confirm which portal to use for your area.
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