Purchasing a house, apartment, or any other kind of property is one of the biggest financial decisions you make in India. It is both a financially and emotionally overwhelming experience. However, you must also keep several things to keep in mind when purchasing your dream home. This involves identifying the property, making down payments, applying for loans, and signing real estate sale agreements.
The final step involves the possession and registration of your house or any other property. However, this is not sufficient because you need to have legal evidence of ownership too. It means you must get your name registered in the local municipal records. Here, the seller documents that the said property like a house or an apartment is transferred to you. This also involves paying a stamp duty that is levied on your property transactions at the time of registration in India. Let us try to understand what is stamp duty, and other relevant aspects of this real estate tax below.
What is Stamp Duty
Let’s start by understanding what is stamp duty. Stamp duty is an important tax imposed on property ownership or sale by the state government in India. This stamp duty is payable under Section 3 of the Indian Stamp Act of 1899. The amount usually depends on the stamp duty property value, location, and whether it is new or a bit old.
Stamp duty is an important government tax that is an additional cost you incur when you purchase any kind of immovable property like an apartment in India. That is why you need to understand the consequences of the nature and location of the house you want to buy in the future.
Full and timely payment of stamp duty needs to be followed to avoid fines. It is a judicial requirement whereby the stamp duty acts on the documents can be introduced as evidence in court. It is normally the responsibility of the buyer but in some cases, the real estate cost is divided between the buyer and the seller who both share the burden equally.
Failing to pay the correct amount on a stamp duty when payable, attracts a penalty of 2% interest per month up to 200%. The essential particulars to be furnished such as the stamp duty property location and characteristics are to be explicitly stated to avoid delays in the stamp duty process.
Full and timely payment of stamp duty needs to be followed to avoid fines. It is a judicial requirement whereby the stamp duty acts on the documents can be introduced as evidence in court. It is normally the responsibility of the buyer but in some cases, the real estate cost is divided between the buyer and the seller who both share the burden equally.
Failing to pay the correct amount on a stamp duty when payable, attracts a penalty of 2% interest per month up to 200%. The essential particulars to be furnished such as the stamp duty property location and characteristics are to be explicitly stated to avoid delays in the stamp duty process.
Important Factors of Stamp Duty Charges in India
If you are willing to know what stamp duty is, you must understand the real estate factors affecting it. Stamp duty in India is dependent on these factors:
Age of the Property
The age of the stamp duty property has a major influence on the amount charged. Depreciation brings the cost of structural strength out of older buildings; real estate market value increases the payment of newer buildings.
Age of the Owner
Discounted stamp duty levies by the state often reduce the financial burden for the elderly. Therefore the age of the property owner as per the stamp duty acts is the factor of importance when we refer to the charge that will be made.
Gender of the Owner
In some regions, women can afford real estate stamp duties at a cheaper price when title deeds are in their name. Additionally, men will pay more for health insurance (an increase of 2%) as compared to women as per the legal evidence of ownership acts in India.
Purpose
Different stamp duty fees are depending on the purpose of the property. Private sector commercial establishments are expensive because they have extra services, more space, and security measures compared to residential buildings.
Location
With the fluctuation of stamp duty rates according to the location of the apartment or house. Issues regarding higher fees facilitate the applications in urban centers and municipal counties while properties in rural or remote areas pay lower fees.
Amenities
The government prescribes more costs for different amenities on the stamp duty property but additional tax. Stamp duties, applicable in connection with additional facilities such as lifts, pools, gyms, and community halls, form part of the overall expense of property registration.
How to Calculate Stamp Duty in India
If someone asks how do you calculate stamp duty in India, it involves following many parameters, which are mainly the property’s total market value. Properties trending higher in the market value pay higher stamp duty fees, while those that are lower in value pay less. In addition, if all the available data contain both the market value and the agreement value, that which is higher is charged.
The simple fact is that stamp duty officials assess the property values correctly through the Stamp Duty Ready Reckoner, which is updated by state governments each year. In connection with this document, the users need to estimate stamp duty tax. Efficient stamp duty charging computation can be made by people using online stamp duty calculators where they only need to provide info about properties such as location and total value based on which the online calculators generate quick estimations of applicable registration fees.
Related: What is Letter of Allotment
Is Stamp Duty and Registration Charges Change State-Wise?
Yes, one can easily find that stamp duty for property and registration charges differ from state to state in India. The payment of stamp duty is required under Section 3 of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 though registering a property. This fee is paid to the state government to formally validate your rental contract. The court seal is the evidence that a particular parcel of land is really your apartment or house.
This implies that you will not be able to legally claim ownership of the property if stamp duty fees are unpaid or not paid. Therefore, it is of great importance that stamp duty fees be settled completely to require legal ownership rights. Here is a detailed table for your reference:
City | Stamp Duty for Property Charges | Registration Charges |
---|---|---|
Bangalore | 2% to 5% | 1% of the property value |
Delhi | 4% to 6% | 1% of the deal value |
Mumbai | 3% to 6% | 1% of the property value |
Chennai | 1% to 7% | 1% to 4% of the property value |
Kolkata | 5% to 7% | 1% of the total property value |
Gujarat | 4.90% | 1% of the total property value |
Kerala | 8% | 1% of the total property value |
Maharashtra | 5% | 1% of the total property value |
Tamil Nadu | 7% | 1% of the total property value |
Uttar Pradesh | 7% | 1% of the total property value |
West Bengal | 7% to 8% | 1% of the total property value |
Rajasthan | 5% to 6% | 1% of the total property value |
Telangana | 5% | 1% of the total property value |
Uttarakhand | 5% | 1% of the total property value |
Benefits of Tax Deductions on Stamp Duty
As per Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, stamp duty and registration charges for such a property, while in the under-construction phase, are qualified for tax deduction up to Rs. 1.5 lakh. However, this deduction is subject to an overall tax reduction limit accepted under Section 80C, covering other investments like Provident Funds and ELSS.
Tax Benefits on Under-Construction Property
Duties to be paid and registrations to be done are the responsibilities of the buyer once the choice of an under-construction property is made. These charges, however, involve a large part of the payment and can be offset against the income tax liability in Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961, but conditions apply.
Tax Benefit on Registration Charges of Under-Construction Property
Similarly, stamp duty tax which applies to property transactions is also exempted and the registration charges during property purchase are also eligible for tax deduction under section 80C. On the other hand, the main owner has to be the one who claims the stamp duty exemption, as it is filed solely for residential property.
Stamp Duty Tax Exemption for Income Tax
Nevertheless, though the costs of stamp duty on property and registration charges are not directly tax-deductible, they are also indirectly counted in the property cost for tax purposes. This inclusion enables the avoidance of the capital gains tax that is charged when disposing of the property in the future.
Is Stamp Duty Tax Deductible for a Fully Constructed Property?
Buying a property based on Indian taxes and also registration charges on stamp papers are not deductible under Section 80C. While they are property charges and support capital gains tax deduction, this decreases the amount of tax interest paid on the apartment or house.
Homebuyers are given tax benefits on registration and stamp duty while investing in under-construction properties, thus giving them the advantage of savings. Individuals can beat tax liabilities by claiming deductions under Section 80C and making more savings. On the contrary, in the case of constructed fully valued properties, these expenses on stamp papers do not fit any tax deduction under Section 80C.
Related: Ready Reckoner Rate
Best Way To Save Stamp Duty Charges
Here are some of the strategic methods to save on stamp duty charges in India:
Get a sale deed registered in the name of a woman
By registering the deed of sale in a woman’s name, women avail substantial savings on stamp duty charges. The Indian States provide concessionary rates to women home buyers these rates are often lower than those for men. For example, Delhi sees men and women buyers paying different stamp duties as women generally pay less. It also lowers the amount of stamp duty on property when it is titled in a woman’s name, with the extent of the discount varying.
Pay stamp duty based on circle rate/guidance value
The registration of the house or apartment identified by the guidance value suggested by the government may be beneficial as stamp duty charges can be reduced. If the circle rate is less than the real market stamp duty value for property will be lower. Such a registration would be based on the notified rate. Nevertheless, you should think of its impacts, including factors such as future land valuation property as reduced and capital gain high tax rates.
Appeal for market rate determination
In instances where the market rate of the property is less than the circle rate, every buyer has a chance to have the circle rate reviewed. This might make it possible for stamp duty charges to decline. Nevertheless, the process of appeals prevents the transfer of ownership of the property until the appeal is successful. If the appeal is not successful, the buyer may end up paying the original stamp duty on property rate.
Register under-construction property at a lower undivided share
Registering based on the lower undivided share UDS in the land at the time of construction can be a beneficial move regarding lower stamp duty on property charges. This strategy involves registering the property in two stages: With respect to the first one covering only the buyer’s UDS and the second one that concerns the entire property’s value after the project is completed. However, it’s necessary to look at the long-term stamp papers, as the depreciation of the property’s value could be a scenario.
Make use of state-specific rebates
Reading up on zone-specific stamp duty on property discounts reveals more avenues for savings. States are generous with rebates or stamp duty rate waivers for some of the property transfer transactions like within a family. The provision of these terms is an important basis for saving money during property registration.
Avail of tax benefits on stamp duty
Using Section 80C of the Income Tax Act before the payment of stamp duty charges, one will get a tax rebate. Customers can avail coupon-based offers ranging from Rs. 1.5 lakh deduction from these expenses, they might reduce their tax liability in stamp papers to a large extent. But, in this case, eligibility for the deduction and timely claiming in the tax year of eligibility should be stressed.
Stamp Duty Charges Details In Mumbai
Within the municipal limits of any urban area | Stamp Duty rates for men | Stamp Duty rates for women | Registration charges |
---|---|---|---|
Within the municipal limits of any urban area | 6.00% | 5.00% | 1.00% |
Within the limits of any municipal council/ cantonment of any area within MMRDA/ panchayat/ | 4.00% | 3.00% | 1.00% |
Within the limits of any gram panchayat | 3.00% | 2.00% | 1.00% |
City | Stamp Duty Value of Property Rates Male | Stamp Duty Value of Property Rates Female | Registration Charges |
---|---|---|---|
Mumbai | 6% (Stamp duty 5% + 1% Metro Cess) | 5% (Stamp duty 4% + 1% Metro Cess) | For properties above Rs. 30 lakh – Rs. 30,000. For properties below Rs. 30 lakh – 1% of the property value. |
Bottom Line
Stamp duty charges are compulsory in India. That is why it is important to know about these levied government tax amounts ahead of purchasing a house or apartment in the country. Right from approaching bankers to assess your loan amount to connecting with sellers for other property details, you should be careful during the entire process. You can also contact a real estate specialist like AsmitA Group to know more about stamp duties and their respective payment processes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are stamp duty charges refundable?
No, stamp duty charges are not refundable.
Can I claim stamp duty as a tax deduction?
Yes, up to a limit of Rs. 1,50,000, stamp duty can be claimed as a tax-deductible under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.
Is GST included in stamp duty?
The current taxes at the stamp duty and GST are levied separately on the sale of properties with the interaction between themselves until now.
Are stamp duty and registration charges covered by home loan?
Normally, bankers don’t include stamp duty value and registration fees while assessing the loan amount sanctioned to a borrower. The buyer must be ready to cover the expense out-of-pocket.
Which city tops the stamp duty charges in India?
In the country, Madhya Pradesh has the maximum stamp duty charge which is 9.5%.