Stamp Duty
State government tax on property transactions, calculated as a percentage of the agreement value or guidance value (whichever is higher). Varies by state: Karnataka 5%, Maharashtra 5–6%, Delhi 4–6%.
What is Stamp Duty?
Stamp duty is a state-level tax levied on property transactions, making the transaction document (sale deed, sale agreement, etc.) legally valid and admissible in court as evidence. It is calculated as a percentage of the higher of the actual transaction value or the government guidance value (also called circle rate, ready reckoner rate, or market value depending on the state). Stamp duty is a one-time cost paid at the time of document execution, not annually.
State-Wise Rates (2026)
| State | Standard Rate | Women Buyers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karnataka | 5% | 5% | No concession for women; additional 0.5% surcharge in some zones |
| Maharashtra | 5% | 4% | 1% rebate for women buyers; Metro cess 1% additional in Mumbai |
| Delhi | 6% | 4% | 2% concession for women buyers |
| Haryana | 7% | 5% | 2% concession for women; varies by municipality |
| Telangana | 4% | 4% | Plus 0.5% transfer duty |
| Tamil Nadu | 7% | 7% | Plus 4% registration fee; high overall transaction cost |
| Uttar Pradesh | 7% | 6% | 1% concession for women; varies by city |
Stamp Duty vs Registration Charges
Stamp duty and registration charges are separate payments:
- Stamp duty: Tax paid to the state government; percentage of transaction value
- Registration charges: Fee paid to Sub-Registrar office for registering the document; typically 1% of transaction value, capped at Rs 30,000 to Rs 1 lakh depending on state
Total transaction cost example: Rs 1 crore apartment in Bangalore = Rs 5 lakh stamp duty + Rs 30,000 (capped) registration = Rs 5.3 lakh in government charges, approximately 5.3% of the property value.
Guidance Value and Its Impact
If the actual sale price is below the government guidance value, stamp duty is calculated on the guidance value. This means you cannot understate the property value to reduce stamp duty liability — the government floor price applies. In markets where guidance values are well below market prices (common in premium localities), stamp duty is calculated on the transaction price.
How Brickplot Uses Stamp Duty Data
Brickplot includes stamp duty in its total cost of ownership calculator for every project. When registered sale deeds are available for a project, the stamp duty paid (publicly visible in registration records) helps us verify actual transaction prices against builder-quoted prices.
Related Terms
- Registration Charges — the companion cost paid alongside stamp duty
- Sale Deed — the document on which stamp duty is paid
- TDS on Property — another tax obligation at purchase above Rs 50 lakh
Related terms
Brickplot verifies stamp duty disclosures on every reviewed project as part of the independent 11-axis score. No builder commissions. No editorial override.