Himachal Pradesh replaces its stamp duty schedule: 4% for women up to ₹1 crore, 6% for others up to ₹40 lakh, 8% above
TaxByKK · Compliance News · taxbykk.com28 Oct 2026
In short
Himachal Pradesh has replaced Schedule I-A of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899, as it applies in the State, through the Indian Stamp (Himachal Pradesh Second Amendment) Act, 2026 (Act No. 17 of 2026). The Governor assented on 26 October 2026, and the Act was published in the e-Gazette on 28 October 2026. The new schedule sets duty on sale, gift and mortgage-with-possession by value band and by whether the buyer is a woman, applies 12% where State permission under section 118 of the HP Tenancy and Land Reforms Act is involved, and fixes new amounts for affidavits, powers of attorney, partnership deeds and many other instruments.
- Authority
- Government of Himachal Pradesh (Law Department)
- Act
- Indian Stamp (Himachal Pradesh Second Amendment) Act, 2026, Act No. 17 of 2026 (Bill No. 12 of 2026)
- Type
- Act
- Assent
- 26 October 2026; published in the e-Gazette, Himachal Pradesh, notification dated 28 October 2026
- What it does
- Substitutes Schedule I-A (rates of stamp duty on certain instruments) in full
- Commencement
- The Act has no separate commencement clause
What changed
| Item | Before | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Conveyance (sale) and gift: women | Earlier Schedule I-A (not reproduced) | 4% up to ₹1 crore; 8% above ₹1 crore (of market value or consideration, whichever is higher) |
| Conveyance (sale) and gift: others | Earlier Schedule I-A | 6% up to ₹40 lakh; 8% above ₹40 lakh |
| Deeds between the same parties within one year | — | If together they cross ₹1 crore or ₹40 lakh, 8% on all, including earlier deeds |
| Sale or lease with State permission under section 118(2)(h), HP Tenancy and Land Reforms Act | — | 12%, irrespective of gender |
| Gift between blood relations or husband and wife | — | 0.1% of market value, minimum ₹5,000, maximum ₹10,000 |
| Agreement to sell immovable property | — | ₹1,000 plus 2% of market value, adjustable against duty on the conveyance |
| Development agreement | — | 2% of market value, maximum ₹10,000 |
| Lease | — | 8% of market value × period of lease ÷ 100 (12% with section 118 permission) |
| Mortgage without possession | — | 0.1% of the secured amount, minimum ₹1,000; KCC farm loans up to ₹3 lakh, ₹100 |
| Power of attorney | — | ₹3,000 (single transaction), ₹4,000 (more than one or general), ₹5,000 (others); 100 times for non-residents on property outside the State |
| Affidavit | — | ₹100 (court, pension and Army/Air Force enrolment uses exempt) |
| Partnership deed / dissolution | — | ₹5,000 |
| Articles of association | — | ₹2,000 with no share capital; 0.2% of share capital, minimum ₹2,000, maximum ₹5 lakh |
| Certificate of sale (public auction) | — | 8% of market value or purchase money, whichever is higher |
The Act replaces the whole schedule and does not show the earlier rates, so it does not say which rates went up or down. Release is 0.1% of market value (minimum ₹1,000); partition 0.1% (maximum ₹5,000); settlement between blood relations 0.1% (₹2,000 to ₹5,000). Several articles (bill of exchange, promissory note, receipt, debenture, policy of insurance and others) remain "as in Schedule I". The Act has no commencement clause, so take advice on the date from which registering offices apply the new rates.
Who it applies to
- Buyers, sellers and donors of property in Himachal Pradesh
- Lessees and borrowers executing leases and mortgages in the State
- Companies incorporated in Himachal Pradesh and partnership firms
- Advocates, deed writers, CAs and CSs
What to do
- Recalculate stamp duty on sale deeds, gifts and leases under the new Schedule I-A before execution.
- Where you plan more than one deed with the same party within a year, check whether the combined value crosses ₹1 crore (women) or ₹40 lakh (others).
- Check with the Sub-Registrar the date from which the new rates apply to documents presented for registration.
- Update templates for affidavits, powers of attorney and partnership deeds with the new amounts.
Reference
Indian Stamp (Himachal Pradesh Second Amendment) Act, 2026 (Act No. 17 of 2026), assented to by the Governor on 26 October 2026, published by the Law Department, Shimla, notification dated 28 October 2026 (Hindi text and authoritative English text).
Read the official PDF: HP Act No. 17 of 2026Written by TaxByKK from the official notification. Check the official text before you act on it.
Frequently asked questions
What is stamp duty on a sale deed in Himachal Pradesh for women?
4% of market value or consideration (whichever is higher) up to ₹1 crore, and 8% above ₹1 crore.
And for other buyers?
6% up to ₹40 lakh, and 8% above ₹40 lakh.
What is the rate where section 118 permission is needed?
12% of market value or consideration, whichever is higher, for any buyer.
From when do the new rates apply?
The Act has no separate commencement clause; check with the registering office.