Mumbai: In a bid to modernise stamp duty collection and enhance revenue, the Maharashtra government has proposed key amendments to the Maharashtra Stamp Act in the State Budget 2025-26. The changes include an increase in stamp duty on supplementary documents and adjudication cases, along with the introduction of an e-Stamp Certificate system.
Key Reforms in Stamp Duty: Hike in Stamp Duty for Supplementary Documents: The stamp duty under Section 4 of the Maharashtra Stamp Act will be increased from ₹100 to ₹500 if multiple documents are used to complete a single transaction.
Increase in Adjudication Fees: The adjudication fee payable under Section 31(1) of the Maharashtra Stamp Act will be raised from ₹100 to ₹1,000 for determining the chargeability of an instrument. A provision will be made to deposit the payable stamp duty upfront while filing the executed document.
Introduction of e-Stamp Certificate: A new provision under Sections 10(3) and 10(4) of the Maharashtra Stamp Act will enable online stamp duty payment and issuance of digital stamp certificates. This initiative aims to simplify transactions, reduce paperwork, and enhance ease of doing business.
The increase in stamp duty and adjudication fees is expected to boost revenue collection and ensure compliance with legal documentation procedures. Meanwhile, the e-Stamp Certificate initiative is a step towards digital transformation, allowing citizens to pay stamp duty seamlessly and obtain legally valid documents online.
