**Why This Matters** Stamp duty and registration charges are one-time costs that buyers must budget for upfront. On a ₹80 lakh property, these charges can amount to ₹5–7 lakh depending on the state. **Tamil Nadu (2026)** - **Stamp duty**: 7% of guideline value (or agreement value, whichever is higher) - **Registration fee**: 4% of guideline value - **Total**: approximately 11% of guideline value - **Concession for women buyers**: 2% discount on stamp duty (i.e., 5% instead of 7%) - **Guideline value**: Set by the State Government; check on the TNREGINET portal *Note: Tamil Nadu has among the highest stamp duty rates in India. Buyers of properties where guideline value significantly exceeds market value can apply for revision.* **Telangana (2026)** - **Stamp duty**: 4% of market value - **Transfer duty**: 1.5% - **Registration fee**: 0.5% (max ₹20,000 for residential) - **Total effective rate**: ~6% of market value - **Concession for women**: 0.5% stamp duty discount **Karnataka (2026)** - **Stamp duty**: 5.6% for properties above ₹45 lakh (3% for ₹21–45 lakh; 5% for ₹35–45 lakh slab applies in some jurisdictions) - **Registration fee**: 1% of market value - **Total**: ~6.6% for properties above ₹45 lakh - **BBMP jurisdiction**: Same rates apply within Bengaluru **Kerala (2026)** - **Stamp duty**: 6% of market value - **Registration fee**: 2% of market value - **Total**: 8% — among the steepest in South India **Legal Ways to Reduce Outgo** - **Joint registration (women as first holder)**: Saves 1–2% in TN and Telangana - **Under-construction booking**: Pay stamp duty on the agreement value (typically lower than market value at possession) - **Accurate guideline value**: If guideline value is too high, apply for revision through the Sub-Registrar before registration **The Consequences of Under-Registration** Under-registering to save stamp duty is illegal. If discovered, the property can be attached by the state government, and you face penalties of 200% of the evaded stamp duty plus interest. Banks also will not release loans on under-registered properties.