Stamp duties and registration fees are taxes imposed by the government in the event of a purchase of a property and even on the transfer of ownership of a property. These taxes ensure that the transaction is legally valid and recognised as ‘Proof of Right’ by the law. While stamp duty is influenced by the market value of the property, registration fees are the charges that go into registering every property document by the local Sub-registrar to confirm the location and address of said property. Because of this, the applicable taxes vary from state to state.

In Bengaluru, the stamp duty typically ranges between 3–5% depending on the location and value of the property while the registration charges come around 1–2%. As a part of the property registration charges, an additional cess and surcharges are also applicable. For urban areas in Bengaluru, a cess of 10% and a surcharge of 2% are levied on properties above Rs.35 lakh.

Stamp Duty rates in Bengaluru:

Properties above Rs.45 lakh — 5%
Properties between Rs.21–45 lakh — 3%
Properties less than Rs.20 lakh — 2%

In Bengaluru, the applicable fees are the same for both genders. The registration charge is 1% of the property value.

Stamp Duty and Registration Charges in Bengaluru for 2024

While the above rates represent the current trends, the government of Karnataka, as recently as December 11, 2023, passed a bill that raises stamp duties on many property transfer instruments.

In urban areas, the stamp duty for property partitions converted for non-agricultural purposes will rise from Rs.1,000 per share to Rs.5,000 per share.

In gram panchayats, the stamp duty for such property partitions will increase from Rs.500 per share to Rs.3,000 per share. Additionally, the stamp duty for agricultural property partitions in gram panchayats will escalate from Rs.250 per share to Rs.1,000 per share.

To know the stamp duty charges of the property you are interested in, simply log on to Kaveri Online Services and fill in the details of your property to know the amount you’ll have to pay.

Besides the specific state-wise allotment of the taxes you have to pay when purchasing a property, several general factors influence the percentage of the charges. They include:

Property type: The tax applicable to commercial properties exceeds that of residential homes as commercial properties include several additional features and amenities compared to a residential property.

Location: The property’s geographical location significantly influences the tax charges, with rural and semi-urban areas generally incurring lower stamp duty and registration charges in Pune.

Market value: The calculation of current stamp duty and registration charges takes into account both the total area and the market value of the property.

Owner’s age & gender: The government extends additional concessions based on the age and gender of the property owner. Senior citizens and women may qualify for subsidized stamp duty and registration charges as part of these concessions.

First-time home buyers: Individuals buying a home for the first time are eligible for a maximum of Rs.2.5 lakh exemption on their stamp duty.

Ready reckoner rate: Also called a circular rate, the ready reckoner rate also influences the stamp duty calculation. These rates depend on the area and restrict the sale of a property below a specific amount.

Buying a home is one of the most important decisions a person will make in their lifetime. It is a measure of steadfast commitment and hard work. To make this endeavour successful, it is not only important to consider the property price by itself but also the various associated taxes that get invoked so that he or she is aware of it to make this process a smooth experience.