Stamp Duty and Registration Charges in Karnataka (2026)
Registering a home in Bengaluru costs roughly 7.6% of the property value on top of the price for most buyers: stamp duty, cess and surcharge on that duty, plus a 2% registration fee. Here's how each part works.
- Stamp duty: generally 5%. Lower slabs of 2% and 3% apply to the first registration of qualifying flats up to ₹45 lakh.
- Cess: 10% of the stamp duty. Surcharge: 2% of the stamp duty in urban areas such as Bengaluru.
- Registration fee: 2% of the property value, up from 1%, effective 31 August 2025.
- Everything is calculated on the higher of the agreement value and the government guidance value.
1. Stamp duty rates in Karnataka
Stamp duty is the tax that makes your sale deed legally valid. The standard rate for apartments, villas, plots and resale properties is 5%. For the first registration of qualifying new flats, published guides list lower slabs:
| Property value (first registration of a qualifying flat) | Stamp duty |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹20 lakh | 2% |
| ₹21 lakh - ₹45 lakh | 3% |
| Above ₹45 lakh | 5% |
Most homes our clients buy in North Bengaluru are above ₹45 lakh, so 5% is the figure to plan with. Karnataka doesn't currently offer a separate concession for women buyers. The rate is the same for all.
2. Cess and surcharge
Two smaller charges are calculated on the stamp duty itself, not on the property value: a cess of 10% of the stamp duty, and a surcharge of 2% of the stamp duty for properties in urban areas such as Bengaluru.
3. Registration fee: now 2%
The Karnataka government doubled the property registration fee from 1% to 2% of the property value, effective 31 August 2025 (Notification RD/46/MNMU/2025). This applies to sale deeds and most property transactions.
4. Guidance value vs agreement value
Charges are worked out on the higher of your agreement (sale) value and the government's guidance value for that location. If the guidance value is above the price you agreed, you pay duty on the guidance value.
5. Worked example: a ₹1 crore apartment in Bengaluru
| Charge | How it's calculated | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Stamp duty | 5% of ₹1,00,00,000 | ₹5,00,000 |
| Cess | 10% of stamp duty | ₹50,000 |
| Surcharge (urban) | 2% of stamp duty | ₹10,000 |
| Registration fee | 2% of ₹1,00,00,000 | ₹2,00,000 |
| Total | About 7.6% of the value | ₹7,60,000 |
Budget for these on top of the price. Most home loans are sanctioned against the property value, so plan to pay registration costs from your own funds, and confirm with your lender.
6. How registration works (Kaveri 2.0)
- Enter the document, party and property details on Kaveri 2.0 (Pre-Registration Data Entry) and book an appointment.
- Check the charges the system calculates, then pay stamp duty and fees online.
- Visit the Sub-Registrar office on your appointment date with the buyer, seller and two witnesses, plus original IDs and documents.
- Collect the registered deed. Then update the khata and the property tax records in your name.
How RBD Ventures helps
When you book through us, we walk you through the cost sheet line by line, including stamp duty, registration, GST on under-construction homes and other charges, so there are no surprises on registration day. Talk to an advisor.
Rates and rules change. Always confirm the final figures on the Kaveri 2.0 portal or with your Sub-Registrar office before registering. This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice.
