Stamp duty & registration charges Karnataka

Published On: 3 September 2026

Stamp duty & registration charges in Karnataka are compulsory state taxes where buyers pay a base duty between 2% and 5% plus a flat 2% registration fee, leading to a total cost of 7.6% for homes priced above Rs 45 lakh. You must pay these charges under the Karnataka Stamp Act of 1957 and the Indian Registration Act of 1908 to get legal property ownership in court.

In Bengaluru, properties worth more than ₹45 lakh may have a 5% stamp duty, along with an extra cess and municipal charge. This brings the stamp duty to about 5.60%, while the registration fee is another 2%.

For lower-priced homes, the stamp duty can be 2% for properties below ₹20 lakh and 3% for properties between ₹20 lakh and ₹45 lakh. The registration fee remains 2%. Buyers can complete payment and check property documents online through the Kaveri 2.0 portal. The final step is completed with biometric verification at the local Sub-Registrar Office.

Total Cost = Base Stamp Duty + 10% Cess on Duty + Local Surcharge (2% City / 3% Village) + 2% Registration Fee

Current Karnataka Stamp Duty Slabs and Fee Structure

Karnataka sets stamp duty rates based on three property price slabs and keeps the registration fee at 2% for all homes. The state calculates these rates on either your sale deal price or the local guidance rate.

Property Value Tier	Base Stamp Duty Rate	Registration Charges	Cess (10% on Duty)	Surcharge (2% on Duty)	Total Effective Duty (Urban)
Up to Rs 20 Lakh	2.00%	2.00%	0.20%	0.04%	2.24%
Rs 20 Lakh to Rs 45 Lakh	3.00%	2.00%	0.30%	0.06%	3.36%
Above Rs 45 Lakh	5.00%	2.00%	0.50%	0.10%	5.60%

Affordable Homes: Properties priced under Rs 20 lakh pay a low 2% base duty, keeping total government charges at 4.24%.
Mid-Range Homes: Properties between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 45 lakh pay a 3% base duty, bringing total charges to 5.36%.
Premium Homes: All homes above Rs 45 lakh pay the top 5% base duty, which equals a full 7.6% overall government charge.
Equal Rates for All: Men, women, and joint buyers pay the same stamp duty and registration rates in Karnataka.

Surcharge, Cess, and Guidance Value Rules

City and village areas in Karnataka add small local taxes on top of your main stamp duty. City homes under BBMP or BDA pay an extra 2% surcharge on the duty amount, while village panchayat homes pay a 3% surcharge on duty.

The state also adds a flat 10% infrastructure cess on your base duty amount. If your base duty is Rs 5,00,000 on a Rs 1 Crore home, you pay Rs 50,000 for cess and Rs 10,000 for city surcharge, giving a total duty of Rs 5,60,000.

Guidance value is the lowest legal price set by the government for land and homes in each area. You cannot register a property below this rate without facing fines and tax reviews under Section 45A of the Karnataka Stamp Act.

Statutory Cost Breakdown for Luxury Homes: Prestige Springwood Example

Prestige Springwood is a 9-acre luxury row villa project by Prestige Group in Yerthiganahalli, Devanahalli, North Bangalore. It is about 600 metres from NH-44 and around 3.5 km from the airport.

The project has 60 private G+2 4 BHK row villas. Each home includes a home theatre room, study, and servant room. There are two home sizes: Royale Townhouse, with 4,000 sq. ft. of space priced at ₹10 crore, and Magnus Townhouse, with 5,000 sq. ft. priced at ₹12.50 crore.

Because both villas cost more than Rs 45 lakh, every buyer pays the top 5% base duty, 10% cess, 2% local surcharge, and 2% registration fee.

Villa Typology	Super Built-up Area	Base Property Value	Total Stamp Duty (5.60%)	Registration Fee (2.00%)	Total Statutory Payment (7.60%)
Royale Townhouse	4,000 sq ft	Rs 10,00,00,000 (10 Cr)	Rs 56,00,000	Rs 20,00,00,000 (20 L)	Rs 76,00,000
Magnus Townhouse	5,000 sq ft	Rs 12,50,00,000 (12.5 Cr)	Rs 70,00,000	Rs 25,00,00,000 (25 L)	Rs 95,00,000

Royale Townhouse Cost: A Rs 10 Crore villa takes Rs 50 lakh base duty, Rs 5 lakh cess, Rs 1 lakh surcharge, and Rs 20 lakh registration fee, making the final payment Rs 76 lakh.
Magnus Townhouse Cost: A Rs 12.50 Crore villa takes Rs 62.50 lakh base duty, Rs 6.25 lakh cess, Rs 1.25 lakh surcharge, and Rs 25 lakh registration fee, making the final payment Rs 95 lakh.
Buyer Planning Tip: Anyone buying at Prestige Springwood must set aside this full 7.6% fee along with 5% GST and the base villa price.

Step-by-Step Property Registration via Kaveri 2.0

The Kaveri 2.0 website lets you enter property details, pay taxes, and book your office visit from home. This modern system stops paperwork delays and gives quick, safe property deeds.

Step 1: Sign Up and Fill Details: Create an account on Kaveri 2.0, pick your local sub-registrar office, and type in buyer, seller, and property data.
Step 2: Check Value and Fees: Enter property size to see the official guidance value and let the system calculate your exact duty and 2% registration fee.
Step 3: Pay Fees Online: Pay your stamp duty and registration fees through net banking or UPI to download your official payment receipt.
Step 4: Book an Appointment Slot: Pick a date and time slot online to visit the sub-registrar office with your seller and witnesses.
Step 5: Give Biometrics and Get Deed: Visit the office with two witnesses for quick fingerprint and photo scans to collect your registered sale deed.

FAQs

1. What are the current stamp duty and registration charges in Karnataka?

Properties priced above Rs 45 lakh pay a 5% base duty, 10% cess on duty, 2% city surcharge on duty, and a 2% registration fee, making the total cost 7.6%. Properties from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 45 lakh pay 5.36% in total, while homes under Rs 20 lakh pay 4.24%.

2. Do women get any discount on stamp duty in Karnataka?

No, Karnataka does not give discounts on stamp duty or registration fees based on gender. Men, women, and joint buyers all pay the same rates.

3. What is the guidance value in Karnataka?

Guidance value is the minimum price set by the state government for property sales in each neighborhood. You must pay your taxes on whichever price is higher between your actual deal price and this state rate.

4. How much stamp duty applies to a 4 BHK villa at Prestige Springwood?

A 4 BHK Royale Townhouse (Rs 10 Crore) needs Rs 56 lakh in stamp duty and Rs 20 lakh in registration fees (Rs 76 lakh total), while a Magnus Townhouse (Rs 12.50 Crore) needs Rs 70 lakh in stamp duty and Rs 25 lakh in registration fees (Rs 95 lakh total).

5. Can I get a stamp duty refund if my sale deal is cancelled?

Yes, you can apply for a refund with the District Registrar within six months of paying the duty. The government checks your papers and takes a 10% processing fee before returning the rest of your money.