Persons who are challenging the new rates for land tax due to the change in the valuation regime, will still have to pay up the bulk of the money even as its being challenged.

Commissioner of Land Valuations at the National Land Agency (NLA) Eric Allen says property owners who question the accuracy of the valuation have the opportunity for review and consultation through their municipal corporations.

Persons may also contact the NLA to query the valuation methodology and serve a notice of objection within 60 days after receiving the notice of valuation.

Commissioner Allen says the landowner, however, must pay 75 per cent of the tax liability while the objection is being considered.

Objections are based on some main criteria including if the person thinks the valuation is too high or too low; if they think lands should be included in one valuation instead of being valued separately; or if the NLA recorded someone on the property as the owner but the person is not believed to be the owner of that property.

The new property tax system implemented on April 1, uses the 2013 valuation system.

With the new valuations, properties have either increased in value, experienced a decline, or remain unchanged.

Several property owners have complained about the new rates, saying their property tax has in some cases tripled.

The Opposition PNP has chastised the JLP administration for implementing the 2013 valuation which the PNP says is impractical.

The government is expected to review the property tax and announce its decision next week.