Karnataka Stamp Duty & Registration Charges 2026 — The Full Picture
If you’re buying or selling property anywhere in Karnataka in 2026 — Bangalore, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubli, Belagavi, or anywhere else in the state — two charges apply on top of the sale price: stamp duty and registration fee. Together they’re typically 6.6%–9% of the property value at the highest slab in BBMP limits, after a recent change most online calculators are still getting wrong.
Stamp Duty Slabs in Karnataka 2026
| Property Value | Stamp Duty | Registration Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Below ₹20 lakh | 2% | 2% |
| ₹21 lakh to ₹45 lakh | 3% | 2% |
| Above ₹45 lakh | 5% | 2% |
BBMP limits attract an additional 2% cess/surcharge on properties above ₹45 lakh. Other city corporations charge a smaller cess (typically 0.5%–1%). Gram panchayat areas usually have negligible additional cess.
How the Calculation Works
The state calculates stamp duty on the higher of these two values:
- Sale consideration — the actual amount in your sale agreement
- Guidance value — the minimum value notified by the Karnataka government for that locality
If you write ₹40 lakh in the agreement but the guidance value of that locality is ₹52 lakh, stamp duty is calculated on ₹52 lakh at the 5% slab. This is by design — to prevent under-reporting and stamp duty leakage.
Worked example: ₹65 lakh apartment in Bengaluru BBMP
- Stamp duty: ₹65,00,000 × 5% = ₹3,25,000
- BBMP cess: ₹65,00,000 × 2% = ₹1,30,000
- Registration fee: ₹65,00,000 × 2% = ₹1,30,000
- Total: ₹5,85,000 (9% of property value)
Worked example: ₹35 lakh house in Mysuru (city corp)
- Stamp duty: ₹35,00,000 × 3% = ₹1,05,000
- City corporation cess: ₹35,00,000 × 0.5% = ₹17,500
- Registration fee: ₹35,00,000 × 2% = ₹70,000
- Total: ₹1,92,500 (5.5% of property value)
Document Types — Stamp Duty Differences
| Document | Stamp Duty Treatment |
|---|---|
| Sale deed | Slab rate on consideration / guidance value (whichever higher) |
| Gift deed within family (parents, spouse, children, siblings) | Flat ₹5,000 stamp duty + ₹1,000 registration fee + 1% cess on guidance value |
| Gift deed outside family | Same slab as sale deed |
| Exchange deed | Slab rate on the higher-valued property |
| Lease > 30 years | Treated as sale; full slab applies |
Do Women Get a Concession in Karnataka?
No. Unlike Maharashtra (1% rebate for women) or Delhi (1% rebate), Karnataka has not introduced any gender-based stamp duty discount. The state has discussed it multiple times in budget speeches but no rule has been notified. Women buyers pay the same slab rate.
How to Pay Stamp Duty in Karnataka — Step by Step
- Visit kaveri.karnataka.gov.in and create an account if you don’t have one.
- Use the “Calculate Stamp Duty” tool to confirm the exact amount for your district and document type.
- Generate an e-stamp paper for the calculated amount via the portal.
- Pay online using net banking, UPI, debit card, or NEFT.
- Book a sub-registrar appointment slot online for the registration.
- Visit the sub-registrar office on the appointment date with the buyer, seller, two witnesses, ID proofs, the e-stamp, and the deed.
- The sub-registrar verifies, registers, and issues the registered deed within 7–14 working days.
Common Mistakes Buyers Make
- Using the old 1% registration figure — costs you 1% extra at the registrar’s desk on the day of registration.
- Calculating on agreement value when guidance value is higher — the registrar will recalculate and demand the difference; it can stall registration by weeks.
- Missing the BBMP surcharge — adds 2% on properties above ₹45 lakh in BBMP limits, often missed by sellers / brokers in their cost estimates.
- Treating gift deeds as cheap — only blood-relative gifts get the flat ₹5,000 rate; non-family gifts attract full slab.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the stamp duty rate in Karnataka in 2026?
Slab-based: 2% below ₹20 lakh, 3% from ₹21–45 lakh, 5% above ₹45 lakh. BBMP limits add 2% on properties above ₹45 lakh.
Did Karnataka registration fees change in 2025?
Yes. Effective 31 August 2025, the registration fee was raised from 1% to 2%. This applies to all sale deeds, regardless of value.
Is stamp duty calculated on sale price or guidance value?
On whichever is higher. If sale agreement is ₹40 lakh but guidance value is ₹52 lakh, calculation is on ₹52 lakh.
Can stamp duty be paid in instalments?
No. The full stamp duty must be paid before registration; the e-stamp paper itself is the proof of payment.
Is GST charged on stamp duty?
No. Stamp duty is a state tax on the document; GST is a central tax on the underlying transaction (only applicable on under-construction property at 5% / 1%).
How do I pay stamp duty in Karnataka?
Through Kaveri Online Services (kaveri.karnataka.gov.in) — generate the e-stamp, pay via net banking / UPI / NEFT, then book the registration slot.