**Executive Summary**
This document publishes the Tamil Nadu Mineral Bearing Land Tax Rules, 2025, effective April 4, 2025. It outlines rules, definitions, procedures for assessment, collection, payment of tax, maintenance of accounts, and penalties related to the Tamil Nadu Mineral Bearing Land Tax Act, 2024. The rules also specify appeal and revision procedures.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Title and Scope:**
* These rules are called the Tamil Nadu Mineral Bearing Land Tax Rules, 2025.
* They pertain to the Tamil Nadu Mineral Bearing Land Tax Act, 2024 (Tamil Nadu Act 9 of 2025).
* **Definitions:**
* "Act" refers to the Tamil Nadu Mineral Bearing Land Tax Act, 2024.
* "Appellate Authority" means the Commissioner of Geology and Mining.
* "Notified Authority" refers to the Deputy or Assistant Director of Geology and Mining of the district.
* "Revisional Authority" means the Secretary to Government, Natural Resources Department.
* **Assessment, Collection, and Payment of Tax:**
* The notified authority assesses the tax upon request for mineral despatch at specified rates.
* Tax must be paid in the district treasury under the relevant head of account.
* The notified authority issues a receipt in Form-A for tax paid.
* The notified authority maintains a register in Form-B of tax assessed and paid.
* Monthly consolidated tax remittance statements must be furnished to the Commissioner of Geology and Mining by the 15th of each succeeding month.
* Holders must file half-yearly returns in Form-C (due 15th of the following month after March 31st and September 30th) and annual returns in Form-D (due 15th of April).
* **Maintenance of Accounts and Registers:**
* Holders must maintain monthly accounts (Form-E) and half-yearly and annual returns registers (Form-F).
* Accounts and registers must be available for inspection.
* The notified authority can require the production of accounts, registers, and information related to mineral removal.
* **Recovery of Tax:**
* The notified authority issues a demand notice in Form-G if any tax/penalty is due.
* The amount must be paid within three months of the notice.
* **Appeal and Revision:**
* The appellate authority must dispose of appeals within 60 days.
* Relevant records and remarks must be furnished to the appellate authority within 30 days for revision applications.
* The government or revisional authority can stay the execution of the order during revision.
* **Penalty:**
* Violation of specified sections and rules incurs a penalty of Rs. 5,000, plus an additional Rs. 500 per day for continuous violation, not exceeding Rs. 50,000 in aggregate.
**Impact Analysis**
**Mineral Holders**
* **Impact**: Subject to new rules regarding tax assessment, payment, accounting, and potential penalties.
* **Action Required**: Comply with assessment and payment procedures, maintain required accounts and registers, file returns, and adhere to deadlines.
**Notified Authority (Deputy/Assistant Director of Geology and Mining)**
* **Impact**: Responsible for assessing and collecting taxes, maintaining records, issuing notices, and inspecting accounts.
* **Action Required**: Implement new procedures for assessment, collection, and record-keeping as defined in the rules.
**Commissioner of Geology and Mining (Appellate Authority)**
* **Impact**: Serves as the appellate authority for disputes related to the tax.
* **Action Required**: Prepare to handle appeals and dispose of them within the specified time limit.
**Secretary to Government, Natural Resources Department (Revisional Authority)**
* **Impact**: Serves as the revisional authority.
* **Action Required**: Be prepared to handle revisions to appeals, and ensure all information is furnished within the specified time limit.
Key Entities Referenced
Tamil Nadu Mineral Bearing Land Tax Act, 2024: The primary legislation establishing a tax on mineral-bearing land in Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu Mineral Bearing Land Tax Rules, 2025: Rules enacted to implement the Tamil Nadu Mineral Bearing Land Tax Act, 2024, detailing procedures for assessment, collection, and payment of tax.
Natural Resources Department: The department responsible for issuing the rules and overseeing their implementation, including revision of orders related to the tax.
Commissioner of Geology and Mining: Designated as the appellate authority for appeals related to the tax.
Chennai: Location where the gazette is published.