Stamp Duty & Registration Charges in Karnataka 2026
Charges here follow Karnataka’s 2026 stamp-duty and registration rates — verify your slab and the current rates on the Kaveri Online Services portal before you register.
When you buy an apartment like Godrej Beacon in Yelahanka, the sticker price is not the final cost — stamp duty and registration charges add several per cent on top, and they are payable in cash at registration. This guide explains Karnataka’s 2026 rates by slab, the BBMP cess and surcharge that apply in Bangalore, a worked example so you can see the real total, and how the charges are calculated and paid.
For the wider market read our Yelahanka apartment guide, and to plan the financing see our home loan guide for Bangalore buyers. Rates change and depend on your property’s location and value, so treat the figures below as a 2026 orientation and confirm the current numbers on the official portal before you transact.
Stamp Duty & Registration in Karnataka 2026 — Quick Reference
| Property Value | Stamp Duty | Registration Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Above ₹45 lakh | 5% | 2% |
| ₹21 lakh to ₹45 lakh | 3% | 2% |
| Below ₹20 lakh | 2% | 2% |
Rates indicative for 2026. In Bangalore (BBMP) urban areas an additional cess and surcharge apply on the stamp duty — see the breakdown and worked example below. Confirm your exact figure on the Kaveri portal.
Stamp Duty Slab Rates in Karnataka 2026
Karnataka charges stamp duty on a slab basis tied to the property’s value: 5% on properties above ₹45 lakh, 3% on properties between ₹21 lakh and ₹45 lakh, and 2% on properties below ₹20 lakh. Most new apartments in Yelahanka and around Bangalore fall in the top slab, so 5% is the base rate a typical buyer works with. These rates are the same regardless of the buyer’s gender — Karnataka does not offer a separate women’s concession on stamp duty.
Registration Charges — Now 2%
On top of stamp duty you pay a registration charge to record the sale in the government’s books. In Karnataka this is 2% of the property value. This was doubled from 1% to 2% with effect from 31 August 2025 — the first revision in more than two decades — so buyers in 2026 pay noticeably more at registration than those a couple of years earlier. Factor the full 2% into your budget, not the older 1% figure you may still see quoted online.
Cess & Surcharge in Bangalore (BBMP)
In urban areas such as Bangalore under the BBMP, two small extras are levied on the stamp duty amount: a cess of 10% of the stamp duty and a surcharge of 2% (the surcharge is 3% in rural areas). On a 5% base, that adds about 0.5% cess and 0.1% surcharge, taking the effective stamp duty to roughly 5.6% of the property value in the city. It is a modest addition, but it is real cash, so include it when you plan.
Total Cost — A Worked Example
Take a Bangalore (BBMP) apartment with a value of ₹1 crore in the top slab. The charges stack up as follows:
| Component | Rate | Amount on ₹1 crore |
|---|---|---|
| Stamp duty | 5% | ₹5,00,000 |
| Cess (10% of stamp duty) | 0.5% | ₹50,000 |
| Surcharge (2% of stamp duty) | 0.1% | ₹10,000 |
| Registration charge | 2% | ₹2,00,000 |
| Total | ~7.6% | ₹7,60,000 |
Illustrative only, at 2026 BBMP-urban rates — your actual figure depends on the applicable slab, area and the value on which duty is charged. Verify on the Kaveri portal before you register.
How the Charges Are Calculated
Stamp duty and registration are not always charged on the price you negotiate. They are levied on the higher of the actual sale consideration and the government’s guidance value (the notified minimum value) for that property. If the guidance value of your flat is higher than the agreed price, duty is calculated on the guidance value. You can look up the guidance value and estimate your duty using the calculator on the state portal before you commit.
How to Pay — Kaveri Online Services
Karnataka’s property registration runs through Kaveri Online Services, the state’s official portal. You can check the guidance value, calculate the stamp duty and registration payable, pay the charges and book a registration slot at the sub-registrar office through it. Using the portal’s own calculator is the safest way to confirm the exact amount for your property rather than relying on a rounded estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the stamp duty in Karnataka in 2026?
Karnataka charges stamp duty on a slab basis: 5% on properties above ₹45 lakh, 3% between ₹21 lakh and ₹45 lakh, and 2% below ₹20 lakh. In Bangalore (BBMP) urban areas a cess and surcharge on the stamp duty take the effective rate on the top slab to about 5.6%.
2. How much are registration charges in Karnataka?
The registration charge is 2% of the property value. It was doubled from 1% to 2% with effect from 31 August 2025, so 2026 buyers should budget the full 2% rather than the older 1% figure.
3. What is the total cost of stamp duty and registration in Bangalore?
For a property above ₹45 lakh in Bangalore, the combined statutory cost is roughly 7.5% to 7.6% of the value — about 5.6% effective stamp duty (5% plus cess and surcharge) and 2% registration. On a ₹1 crore flat that is around ₹7.6 lakh.
4. Is stamp duty charged on the sale price or the guidance value?
It is charged on the higher of the two — the actual sale consideration or the government guidance value for the property. If the guidance value is higher than your agreed price, duty is calculated on the guidance value.
5. Do women pay lower stamp duty in Karnataka?
No. Unlike some states, Karnataka charges the same stamp duty regardless of the buyer’s gender, so there is no separate women’s concession on the rate.
6. How do I pay stamp duty and registration charges?
Through Kaveri Online Services, Karnataka’s official registration portal. You can check the guidance value, calculate the charges, pay them and book a sub-registrar slot on the portal. Use its calculator to confirm the exact amount for your property.
Conclusion
For a Bangalore apartment above ₹45 lakh in 2026, plan for stamp duty and registration of roughly 7.5% to 7.6% of the value — about 5.6% effective stamp duty including the BBMP cess and surcharge, plus the 2% registration charge that came into effect on 31 August 2025. Because the charges are levied on the higher of your price and the guidance value, the safest step is to look up your property on Kaveri Online Services and use its calculator before you sign, so there are no surprises on registration day.
To work these costs into the full budget for a specific home, book a site visit and price it out end to end.
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