Stamp duty is among the largest transaction costs a homebuyer incurs while purchasing property in India. Levied by state governments, it is mandatory for registering ownership and can range anywhere between 3 per cent and 10 per cent of a property’s value, depending on the state, city, and buyer profile.

Since this expense can easily run into several lakhs of rupees for urban homes, understanding how stamp duty is calculated—and more importantly, how it can be legally reduced—can materially ease a buyer’s financial burden. Indian law allows certain concessions through ownership structuring and special rebates for women buyers, provided these are transparently documented and compliant with state rules, according to a report by Outlook Money.

The Indian law itself provides extensions that provide reductions through ownership structuring, and concessions for women buyers.

One common way is joint ownership; buyers mostly opt for this structuring of ownership shares, such as 90:10 or 50:50. This often reduces stamp duty significantly.

In India, stamp duty is calculated on the value of the property mentioned in the sale deed or, depends on the circle rates, whichever is higher.

Most state governments consider the kind of ownership while applying the stamp duty rates. These have their own clauses, according to Ritz Malik, founder, Mypropertyfact.

He says: “What matters for most state concessions is the presence of a qualifying woman owner on the sale deed rather than an exact arithmetic split. A 50:50 share with a female co-owner commonly attracts the concession where the state allows it; a 90:10 split with the woman shown as a minor share may still qualify in some states, but risks challenge if the paperwork doesn’t match economic reality. Second, states differ: some explicitly require the woman’s name to be the primary or sole vendee for the lower slab.”

The co-ownership does reduce the stamp duty, but in different ways according to the state.

Ownership shares should reflect a real financial contribution or long-term ownership intent by both parties. Artificial arrangements usually attract questioning and audits during the process. While joint ownership helps in reducing stamp duty in some states, it should be carefully drafted and be made transparent.

Women buyers get the most effective legal remedy for a reduction in stamp duty rates in India. These concessions provide women with financial independence and relief during property ownership. The extent of this concession varies from state to state.

“Many states offer explicit concessions to women buyers; the extent varies. For instance, Delhi’s revenue rules specify lower stamp/transfer duty for women compared to men; Uttar Pradesh recently introduced a 1 per cent rebate on properties up to Rs 1 crore for women; Maharashtra typically offers a 1 per cent rebate for women buyers. These are active policy levers used by state governments to boost female property ownership. Always confirm the current slab with the relevant state revenue or sub-registrar office before transacting,” adds Malik.

In conclusion, stamp duty reduction in India is well possible within the legal framework. If homebuyers try to hide the payable amount and try to cheat the system, the consequences can be harsh. Joint ownership, especially involving a woman co-owner, can offer buyers meaningful savings.