Your Complete Guide to Stamp Duties and Registration Fees in West Bengal

The Directorate of Registration and Stamp Revenue in West Bengal oversees the collection and application of stamp duties and registration fees for various legal documents. These duties and fees are critical in ensuring the legality and enforceability of documents, ranging from affidavits and agreements to conveyances and leases. This detailed guide breaks down the rates of stamp duty on some significant articles from Schedule 1A of the Indian Stamp Act as they apply in West Bengal.

Understanding Stamp Duties and Registration Fees

Stamp duty is a tax levied on legal documents, typically in the transfer of assets or property. The amount varies depending on the type of document and its value. Registration fees are additional charges applied when registering these documents with the government to make them legally binding and enforceable.

Stamp Duties & Fees

Stamp Duties & Fees

Rate of Stamp Duty

The existing rate of stamp duty on some important Articles of Schedule 1A of the Indian Stamp Act are mentioned below:

Sl. No.	Name of Article	Rate of Stamp Duty	Rate of Regn. Fee
1.	Affidavit	Rupees Ten (Rs.10)	Rs.7.00
2.	Agreement	(a) If relating to sale of immovable property (b) If relating to an agreement giving authority to a promoter or developer, by whatever name called, for construction on, or sale of, or transfer (in any manner whatsoever) of, any immovable property – (i) where the market value of the property does not exceed rupees thirty lakh (ii) where the market value of the property exceeds rupees thirty lakh but does not exceed rupees sixty lakh (iii) where the market value of the property exceeds rupees sixty lakh but does not exceed one crore (iv) where the market value of the property exceeds rupees one crore but does not exceed rupees one and half crore (v) where the market value of the property exceeds rupees one and half crore but does not exceed rupees three crore (vi) where the market value of the property exceeds rupees three crore	Rupees five thousand Rupees seven thousand Rupees ten thousand Rupees twenty thousand Rupees forty thousand Rupees seventy five thousand Rs. 7.00
3.	Bond	4% of value secured	Under Article A
4.	Conveyance	5% on market value in Panchayet Area 6% on market value in Municipal Areas, Corporation Areas and notified area other than those included in 23(a) and specified mouzas or blocks of South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas which are distributed over three action areas of New Town Kolkata Development Authority and divided into a number of blocks. 1% Additional Stamp Duty in both urban and rural areas, if the market value exceeds rupees one crore.	1% of the market value subject to a minimum of Rs.50.
5.	Exchange of property	Same duty as conveyance (No. 23) on market value of the property of greatest value	Same as above
6.	Further Charge	(b) When such mortgage is one of the description referred to in clause (b) of Art no 40 (that is, without possession) – (ii) if possession is not given Rupees Ten for every Rs. 500 or part thereof, for an amount secured by such deed, subject to the maximum of Rs. 1 lac.	Same as Conveyance subject to a maximum of Rs. 55,000
7.	Gift	(1) When made to a member of a family – 0.5% of the market value of the property (2) When made to others – Same duty as conveyance (No.23) on market value	Same as above with no cap
8.	Lease	(a) Whereby such Lease the rent is fixed and no premium is paid or delivered – (i) where the lease purports to be for a term not exceeding one year (ii) where the lease purports to be for a term exceeding one year but not exceeding ten years (iii) where the lease purports to be for a term exceeding ten years but not exceeding thirty years (iv) where the lease purports to be for a term exceeding thirty years and for any term renewed (b) Where such lease is granted for a fine or premium, or for money advanced, or for security charges advanced, and where no rent is reserved – (i) where the lease purports to be for a term not exceeding thirty years (ii) where the lease purports to be for a term exceeding thirty years and for any term renewed or in perpetuity or where no term is mentioned (c) Where such lease is granted for a fine or premium, or for money advanced, or for development charges advanced, or for security charges advanced, in addition to rent reserved – (i) where the lease purports to be for a term not exceeding thirty years (ii) where the lease purports to be for a term exceeding thirty years and for any term renewed or in perpetuity or where no term is mentioned	Same as above
9.	Partition	0.5% of the market value of the separated share or shares of the property	Same as above
10.	Power of Attorney	(g) When given to a promoter or developer, by whatever name called, for construction on, or sale of, or transfer (in any manner whatsoever) of, any immovable property – (i) where the market value of the property does not exceed rupees thirty lakh – Rupees five thousand (ii) where the market value of the property exceeds rupees thirty lakh but does not exceed rupees sixty lakh – Rupees seven thousand (iii) where the market value of the property exceeds rupees sixty lakh but does not exceed one crore – Rupees ten thousand (iv) where the market value of the property exceeds rupees one crore but does not exceed rupees one and half crore – Rupees twenty thousand (v) where the market value of the property exceeds rupees one and half crore but does not exceed rupees three crore – Rupees forty thousand (vi) where the market value of the property exceeds rupees three crore – Rupees seventy five thousand	Same as above
11.	Partnership	(a) Up to Rs. 500 – Rs. 20 (b) Up to Rs. 10000 – Rs. 50 (c) Up to Rs. 50000 – Rs. 100 (d) Exceeding Rs. 50000 – Rs. 150	Rs. 7.00
12.	Surrender of the lease	Rupees one hundred irrespective of the term of lease	Exemption: Surrender of the lease, when such lease is exempted from duty
13.	Transfer of Lease	(a) Govt. land in favour of family members as defined in Article 33 – 0.5% on the market value of the property (b) In any other case – Same as conveyance on the market value of the property	Same as conveyance

Rate of Stamp Duty for Conveyance (Articles- 23)

Sl. No.	Date of Effect	Rate of Stamp Duty	Remarks
1.	28.03.1994	10%	Up to 14.07.1996
2.	15.07.1996	5%	Up to 31.03.2002
3.	01.04.2002	Municipal area – 6% Panchayet area – 5% Up to 20.10.2002
4.	21.10.2002	Corporation area – 8% Municipal area – 6% Panchayet area – 5% Up to 04.08.2003
5.	05.08.2003	Corporation area – 8% Municipal area – 8% Panchayet area – 5%
6.	01.08.2006	Corporation area – 6% Municipal area – 6% Panchayet area – 5% Additional 2% stamp duty for KIT/HIT removed w.e.f. 01.08.2006
7.	01.04.2007
8.	02.03.2015
9.	01.02.2018	Above 25 lac: (a) Corporation (Kolkata/Howrah) Area – 7% (b) Municipal Corp./Municipality/Notified Area – 7% (c) Other than those included in clause (a) or (b) – 6% 25 lac & below: (a) Corporation (Kolkata/Howrah) Area – 6% (b) Municipal Corp./Municipality/Notified Area – 6% (c) Other than those included in clause (a) or (b) – 5% Above 30 lac: (a) Corporation (Kolkata/Howrah) Area – 7% (b) Municipal Corp./Municipality/Notified Area – 7% (c) Other than those included in clause (a) or (b) – 6% 30 lac & below: (a) Corporation (Kolkata/Howrah) Area – 6% (b) Municipal Corp./Municipality/Notified Area – 6% (c) Other than those included in clause (a) or (b) – 5% Above 40 lac: (a) Corporation (Kolkata/Howrah) Area – 7% (b) Municipal Corp./Municipality/Notified Area – 7% (c) Other than those included in clause (a) or (b) – 6% 40 lac & below: (a) Corporation (Kolkata/Howrah) Area – 6% (b) Municipal Corp./Municipality/Notified Area – 6% (c) Other than those included in clause (a) or (b) – 5% Above 1 crore: (a) Corporation (Kolkata/Howrah) Area – 7% (b) Municipal Corp./Municipality/Notified Area – 7% (c) Other than those included in clause (a) or (b) – 6% 1 crore & below: (a) Corporation (Kolkata/Howrah) Area – 6% (b) Municipal Corp./Municipality/Notified Area – 6% (c) Other than those included in clause (a) or (b) – 5%