You are not liable to pay only the value of your property while purchasing it. You must pay stamp duty and registration charges to register your property against your name. This saves you and your property from any legal inconvenience in case of any dispute or fraudulent activity.

 Registering your property in the municipal record is mandatory under the Registration Act. Therefore, consider reading to get a clear idea of West Bengal stamp duty.

St-amp duty and registration fees in West Bengal constitute a percentage of your property’s value. Below is a list of current stamp duty and registration fees

You can simply choose an online stamp duty calculator instead of computing it manually. This saves both your time and effort. Follow the simple steps below to use an online calculator -

• Step 1: Visit the West Bengal stamp duty calculator page. Select your required Transaction Major, Transaction Minor and Local Body.
• Step 2: Enter the market value of your property as well as the captcha displayed on the page.
• Step 3: By clicking on “Display”, you will see the computed amount of stamp duty and registration charges.

Read more about Digit's Property Insurance policy.

You can pay West Bengal stamp duty both online and offline.

Online Procedure

• Step 1: Visit the official website of WB registration for e-Payment of Stamp Duty. Then click on “e-Payment of Stamp Duty & Registrations Fees” from the “e-Payment and Refund” section under e-Services at the below right section.
• Step 2: Enter your query number as asked in the redirected page along with the query year.
• Step 3: Click on “Check Query Status”. A page will appear where you need to enter your bank details.
• Step 4: Then click on ‘Proceed for e-Payment’ to complete your e-payment of the stamp duty in West Bengal.

Offline Procedure

The other ways to pay stamp duty are as follows-

• Physical stamp paper
• Franking

below are some key points to keep in mind while paying stamp duty charges in West Bengal:

• You must have all your assets stamped before registration or the next working day from the effective date. If both the parties sign the deed outside the territory of the property, it must be stamped within 3 months.
• The stamp paper must be issued within 6 months of the transaction date.
• you can use adhesive stamps to pay West Bengal stamp duty. However, the registration official removes the stamps at the time of execution to prevent them from being reused.
• It also must be issued in the name of both the parties involved in a  transaction.

The factors that affect stamp duty in West Bengal include the following:

• Area of a Property: West Bengal property registration fees are usually higher in the municipal or corporation area.
• Type and Use of a Property: Stamp duties vary on the type and usage of your property. It will always differ based on whether it is a flat, house or land. Also, it will vary if your property is commercial or residential. Commercial property will always have higher stamp duty.
• Status of the Property: West Bengal stamp duty will be higher if your property has modern amenities and high-tech facilities like elevators, a fitness area, a swimming pool. It will also vary upon the age of your property.
• Age of the Owner: The property owner’s age will influence the stamp duty as almost every state subsidises the charges for senior citizens.
• Owner’s Gender: In most cities, stamp duty rates are slightly lower for women than men.

You can claim a tax deduction on stamp duty and registration charges, including other fees directly related to the transfer. The maximum amount of deduction is ₹1,50,000 according to Section 80C of the Income Tax Act 1961.

Both individuals and HUFs can claim this deduction on-

• Their income tax return.
• The year in which they made the actual payment for these expenses.

West Bengal stamp duty is a mandatory duty that can be paid completely. It is not legally rightful to pay less stamp duty during a property registration procedure. Undervaluing property for and estimating a low market value to escape stamp duty is a punishable offence.

You may have to bear a massive penalty along with imprisonment for a certain period. And you may lose your reputation if you are a real estate or commercial property holder. Therefore, ensure to register your property with proper registration fees and stamp duty in West Bengal.