Stamp Duty Calculator 2026 — 10 States

Stamp duty is a tax levied by state governments on the transfer of property ownership. It is mandatory under the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 and must be paid before or at the time of executing the sale deed. Without paying stamp duty, the sale deed is not considered legally valid and cannot be presented as evidence in court.

Yes, several Indian states offer reduced stamp duty rates for women buyers. Maharashtra offers a 1% concession (5% instead of 6%), Karnataka offers 1% less (2% instead of 3% for properties up to 45L), and Delhi offers a significant 2% reduction (4% instead of 6%). Tamil Nadu and Telangana currently do not offer gender-based concessions on stamp duty.

Stamp duty rates vary by state: Maharashtra charges 6% (7% in Mumbai with metro cess), Karnataka charges 3-5% depending on property value, Delhi charges 4-6% based on gender, Tamil Nadu has a flat 7% (plus 4% registration), and Telangana charges 5-5.5% depending on whether the property is within GHMC limits. Registration charges are additional and typically range from 0.5% to 4%.

Yes. Properties in Mumbai attract an additional 1% metro cess on top of the base stamp duty rate, making it 7% for male buyers and 6% for female buyers. Additionally, properties valued above ₹30 lakh in Mumbai municipal areas attract a 1% LBT (Local Body Tax) surcharge, further increasing the acquisition cost.

Stamp duty is calculated on the higher of the agreement value (the price you actually pay) or the circle rate — also called guidance value — which is the minimum property value set by the government for each locality. If you purchase a property for less than the circle rate, stamp duty is still calculated on the circle rate. This calculator uses the property value you enter, so input whichever is higher — the purchase price or the circle/guidance rate for your area.

Stamp duty refund is possible but rare and varies by state. In Maharashtra, if a property transaction is cancelled within 2 years and the document is not registered, you can apply for a refund of stamp duty minus a deduction of up to 10%. In Karnataka, refund claims must be filed within 6 months. In Delhi, refunds are generally not available once the stamp duty is paid and the document is executed. Always check your state’s specific rules and apply at the Sub-Registrar’s office with the original stamped document.

NRIs pay the same stamp duty rates as resident Indians — there is no additional surcharge or concession for NRIs on stamp duty. NRIs can purchase residential or commercial property in India (except agricultural land, farmhouse, or plantation property) under FEMA regulations. Payment must be made from an NRE, NRO, or FCNR account. NRI women buyers also get the same stamp duty concessions available to resident women. Power of Attorney (PoA) is commonly used by NRIs for registration, which itself may attract a small stamp duty.

E-stamping is a digital alternative to traditional physical stamp papers, introduced by SHCIL (Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited) to prevent stamp paper fraud. You pay the stamp duty at an authorized collection center or online, and receive a unique CIN (Certificate Identification Number) on an e-stamp certificate. This certificate is tamper-proof and verifiable online. E-stamping is now mandatory in most states including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi, and Tamil Nadu. It is more convenient, eliminates the risk of counterfeit stamp paper, and provides instant verification.

Stamp duty on gift deeds varies by state and relationship. In Maharashtra, gift deeds between blood relatives (parents, children, siblings, spouse) attract a nominal stamp duty of ₹200 plus registration fee. In Karnataka, stamp duty on gift deeds is the same as sale deeds (2-5%) regardless of relationship. In Delhi, gifts to family members are charged at a concessional rate of ₹1,000 plus registration charges. In Tamil Nadu, gift deeds attract 1% stamp duty for family transfers. Always verify the current rates with your local sub-registrar.

Stamp duty on Power of Attorney for property transactions differs significantly across states. In Maharashtra, a General Power of Attorney (GPA) for immovable property attracts ₹500 stamp duty, while a Special PoA is ₹100. In Delhi, GPA for property attracts stamp duty equal to the sale deed rate (4-6%) if it confers the power to sell. In Karnataka, PoA stamp duty is ₹200-₹500. Note that the Supreme Court of India has ruled that property sale via GPA (without a registered sale deed) is not legally valid, so a PoA alone does not transfer ownership.

GST and stamp duty are separate charges, and their applicability depends on the property type. For under-construction properties, GST at 5% (without ITC) or 1% (affordable housing under ₹45 lakh) is charged on the agreement value. Stamp duty is charged separately on the same transaction. For ready-to-move-in properties with an Occupancy Certificate (OC), no GST is applicable — only stamp duty and registration charges apply. For resale properties (secondary market), there is no GST. This means buying a ready property is often cheaper in total acquisition cost.

Yes, stamp duty and registration charges are applicable even for DDA (Delhi Development Authority), MHADA, CIDCO, and other government housing allotments. While the allotment price may be subsidized, the buyer must pay stamp duty on the allotment value or circle rate (whichever is higher) at the time of executing the conveyance deed. Some states offer concessional rates for government housing: for instance, DDA flats in Delhi attract the standard 4-6% stamp duty. EWS/LIG housing in some states may qualify for reduced rates under state-specific affordable housing policies.