Stamp duty and registration charges can add 6-8% to your property cost. And most buyers don’t budget for this properly.
You see a ₹80L flat, love it, and calculate affordability based on the sale price. Then at registration, you realize you owe an additional ₹6L in stamp duty. If you haven’t saved for this, the entire deal falls through.
This guide explains exactly how much you will owe in stamp duty and registration charges, with worked examples for common Pune property prices. By the end, you will know your exact costs before signing anything.
Understanding stamp duty vs registration fee
These are often confused, but they are separate charges:
Stamp duty:
- Tax paid to Maharashtra state government
- Based on property value (typically 5-7%)
- Paid before registration
- Goes into state treasury
Registration fee:
- Fee paid to registration department
- Fixed percentage (1% with cap)
- Paid at time of registration
- Used for office administration
Both are mandatory. You cannot register without paying both.
Current Pune stamp duty rates (2025)
Base stamp duty in Maharashtra:
For residential properties:
| Buyer Category | Rate |
|---|---|
| Male buyer (single) | 5-6% |
| Female buyer (single) | 4-5% |
| Joint buyer (any mix) | 5-6% |
| Non-metro areas (outside PMC/PCMC) | 4-5% |
Plus metro cess (if property in PMC or PCMC area):
- 6% additional on stamp duty amount
Example breakdown for ₹80L flat in PMC area (male buyer):
| Component | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Property value | Given | ₹80,00,000 |
| Base stamp duty | 5.5% of ₹80L | ₹4,40,000 |
| Metro cess | 6% of ₹4,40,000 | ₹26,400 |
| Total stamp duty | ₹4,66,400 |
For ₹80L flat in PMC area (female buyer):
| Component | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Property value | Given | ₹80,00,000 |
| Base stamp duty | 4% of ₹80L (female rate) | ₹3,20,000 |
| Metro cess | 6% of ₹3,20,000 | ₹19,200 |
| Total stamp duty | ₹3,39,200 |
Savings for female buyer: ₹1,27,200 (significant difference)
Note: These are approximate rates; verify exact rates on IGR Maharashtra or official government notification before payment, as rates can change annually.
Registration fee structure
Formula:
- 1% of property value
- Capped at ₹30,000 max (for properties valued above ₹30L)
Examples:
For ₹20L property:
- 1% of ₹20L = ₹20,000 (no cap applies)
- Registration fee: ₹20,000
For ₹60L property:
- 1% of ₹60L = ₹60,000
- But capped at ₹30,000
- Registration fee: ₹30,000
For ₹100L property:
- 1% of ₹100L = ₹1L
- But capped at ₹30,000
- Registration fee: ₹30,000
Important: The cap means that on large property deals (₹30L+), registration fee is flat ₹30,000 regardless of property value.
Worked examples: Total cost for common Pune property prices
Example 1: ₹40L flat in PMC area, male buyer
| Charge | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Stamp duty base | 5.5% × ₹40L | ₹2,20,000 |
| Metro cess | 6% × ₹2,20,000 | ₹13,200 |
| Total stamp duty | ₹2,33,200 | |
| Registration fee | 1% × ₹40L = ₹40K (no cap) | ₹40,000 |
| Total tax & charges | ₹2,73,200 | |
| As % of property value | ₹2,73,200 / ₹40L | 6.83% |
Example 2: ₹60L flat in PMC area, female buyer
| Charge | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Stamp duty base | 4% × ₹60L | ₹2,40,000 |
| Metro cess | 6% × ₹2,40,000 | ₹14,400 |
| Total stamp duty | ₹2,54,400 | |
| Registration fee | 1% × ₹60L = ₹60K, capped at ₹30K | ₹30,000 |
| Total tax & charges | ₹2,84,400 | |
| As % of property value | ₹2,84,400 / ₹60L | 4.74% |
Female buyer savings vs male buyer (same property):
- Male buyer on ₹60L: ₹3,38,400
- Female buyer on ₹60L: ₹2,84,400
- Difference: ₹54,000
Example 3: ₹80L bungalow in non-metro Pune
| Charge | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Stamp duty base | 4.5% × ₹80L | ₹3,60,000 |
| Metro cess | Not applicable (non-metro) | ₹0 |
| Total stamp duty | ₹3,60,000 | |
| Registration fee | 1% × ₹80L = ₹80K, capped at ₹30K | ₹30,000 |
| Total tax & charges | ₹3,90,000 | |
| As % of property value | ₹3,90,000 / ₹80L | 4.875% |
Other charges (beyond stamp duty + registration)
Stamp paper cost: ₹100-200 (printing cost on stamp paper)
Franking charge: ₹50-200 (filing at sub-registrar)
E-registration charge: ₹100-500 (in some offices)
Scanned document copies: ₹10-20 per page
Notarization (if needed): ₹100-500
Property lawyer fee: ₹3,000-₹10,000 (for deed preparation and guidance)
Valuation report (if required by bank): ₹1,000-₹5,000
Total additional charges: Usually ₹5,000-₹20,000
How to pay stamp duty
Step 1: Determine property value
The property value on stamp deed is critical. Banks will not approve stamp duty that is obviously under-valued.
Valuation methods:
- Agreement price (most common)
- Bank-estimated value (higher than agreement in some cases)
- Municipal valuation (if required)
Important: Never try to undervalue to save on stamp duty. It creates legal complications and can result in:
- Registration rejection
- Fraud charges
- Problems in home loan approval
- Title challenges in future
Step 2: Calculate stamp duty (use above tables or government calculator)
Step 3: Make payment
Online payment options:
- IGR Maharashtra GRAS portal[web:90]
- Go to GRAS.maharashtra.gov.in
- Download challan
- Pay at authorized bank (ICICI, SBI, Axis, etc.)
- Get receipt
- Bank direct payment
- Authorized banks have stamp duty payment counters
- Fill challan
- Pay amount
- Get receipt (essential)
- Online banking
- Some banks allow online stamp duty payment
- Generate challan, pay online, get digital receipt
Offline payment:
- State Treasury Office (central location)
- Takes longer; not recommended for most buyers
Important notes:
- Payment must be before registration appointment
- Keep receipt safe (required at sub-registrar)
- Receipt shows paid amount, date, challan number
- Do not lose receipt—needed for registration
- Payment is non-refundable once made
Special concessions and rebates (2025)
For female buyers:
- Rebate of 1% on stamp duty in many cases
- Additional concessions in some states (verify with IGR)
For first-time homebuyers:
- Limited concessions (not standard in Maharashtra as of 2025, but check current)
For properties below certain value:
- Reduced rates for properties <₹5L (in some jurisdictions, not standard Pune)
Important: Always verify current concessions on official IGR Maharashtra website, as they change annually.
Common stamp duty mistakes to avoid
Mistake 1: Undervaluing property to save tax
- Creates fraud risk
- Home loan bank may reject due to value mismatch
- Future resale problematic
- Avoid: Use market value for stamp deed
Mistake 2: Not paying stamp duty before registration
- Sub-registrar will not register without payment proof
- Delayed registration
- Avoid: Pay 2-3 days before registration appointment
Mistake 3: Forgetting metro cess (in PMC/PCMC areas)
- Common for first-time buyers
- Adds 6% to stamp duty amount
- Avoid: Always include metro cess for PMC/PCMC properties
Mistake 4: Assuming cap of ₹30K applies to registration (it does)
- But buyers often budget more
- Avoid: Know that registration fee maxes out at ₹30K for large properties
Mistake 5: Not keeping payment receipt
- Needed at registration office
- Without receipt, registration may be delayed
- Avoid: Keep original receipt safe
Negotiation: Can stamp duty be reduced?
No. Stamp duty is a government tax, not negotiable. The rate is fixed by Maharashtra government.
What you CAN do:
- Ensure you get all applicable female buyer rebates
- Confirm property value matches bank valuation (avoid inflated registration)
- Compare rates across different payment methods (not much difference)
Budget planning example
You plan to buy ₹60L property in Pune:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Purchase price | ₹60,00,000 |
| Stamp duty (5% + metro cess) | ₹2,54,400 |
| Registration fee (capped at ₹30K) | ₹30,000 |
| Lawyer fee | ₹5,000 |
| Valuation report | ₹2,000 |
| Miscellaneous | ₹5,000 |
| Total additional costs | ₹2,96,400 |
| Total budget needed | ₹62,96,400 |
As percentage of purchase price: 4.94%
Budget planning tip: Plan for 5-8% additional cost on top of purchase price for all taxes and charges.
Timeline for stamp duty payment and registration
| Milestone | Timing |
|---|---|
| Agreement signed | Day 1 |
| Lawyer prepares deed | Days 2-3 |
| Stamp duty calculated and paid | Days 4-5 |
| Registration appointment booked | Day 6 |
| Registration at SRO | Day 10-15 |
| Index II appears online | Day 17-21 |
Recent changes and 2025 updates
Rate changes (2024-2025):
- Maharashtra government occasionally adjusts stamp duty rates
- Metro cess rates stable at 6% for past 3 years
- Registration fee cap stable at ₹30,000
Recommendation: Before finalizing your budget, verify current rates on:
- IGR Maharashtra official website
- Your bank’s home loan officer
- Your property lawyer
Rates can change mid-year and are updated through government notifications.
Monetization CTAs
For property lawyers:
- “Need help with stamp duty calculation and deed preparation? Consult a Pune property lawyer today.”
For registration services:
- “Don’t handle stamp duty payment yourself. Use a professional registration service in Pune for hassle-free process.”
For tax consultants:
- “Optimize your registration strategy with a tax consultant. Understand potential rebates and best payment methods.”
Internal Links:
- “Property Registration Process in Pune: Step-by-Step Guide to Legal Ownership”
- “Essential Property Documents in Pune: Title Deed, Registry, and Verification Checklist”
- “A Guide to Understanding Property Taxes in Pune: Types, Calculations, And Payment Processes”
- “How to Buy Property in Pune: Your Essential Step-by-Step Guide”
- “Practical Tips For First-Time Home Buyers In Pune: Navigating The Market, Budgeting, And Legalities”
External Authority Links:
- IGR Maharashtra GRAS portal – Stamp duty payment[web:90]
- Housing.com / NoBroker – Stamp duty rates and calculator[web:82][web:89][web:101]
- ClearTax – Maharashtra stamp duty and registration guide[web:82]
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