Karnataka plans to roll out digital e-stamping system from April 1, 2025

The Karnataka government plans to roll out digital e-stamping for non-registered documents from April 1, 2025, replacing the existing system of e-stamping that involves an electronically generated stamp on paper to validate payment of stamp duty.

According to sources familiar with the development, the proposed digital e-stamping system will facilitate online payment of stamp duty for non-registered documents directly on the official portal, which will also indicate the prescribed amount for various transactions.

QR code

A printout of the stamp duty paid with a QR code verifying the payment can be downloaded after completing the transaction.

“The proposed system will indicate the amount of stamp duty payable for various documents,” the source added. Until recently, most tenancy agreements between landlords and tenants were on stamp papers with a fee of less than ₹20 which had no value in court. “Once the digital e-stamping system is implemented, all this will change.”

This digital e-stamping system will not only make the process of paying stamp duty for non-registrable documents less cumbersome for the public, but will also help prevent revenue leakage due to alleged misuse of the current system.

Revenue Department Principal Secretary (Stamps and Registration) Rashmi V Mahesh informed the Karnataka High Court in a recent affidavit that steps have been taken to develop the necessary software to integrate transactions of non-registered documents in Kaveri. -2 and Khazane-2 portals, “thereby eliminating the existing payment system and manual verification of signatures.”

Special audit

Ms. Mahesh’s affidavit in the High Court came after a special audit of accounts under Section 10A of the Karnataka Stamp Act, 1957 to verify irregularities in transactions at the Sub Registrar Offices of Mysuru South and Mysuru East in Mysuru district. For the financial year 2022-23.

Disciplinary action will also be taken against officials responsible for loss of revenue to the state, Ms. Mahesh said, adding that necessary measures are also underway to curb revenue leakage, including amendments to the relevant Karnataka Stamp Act and Rules. Based on the errors identified in the system.

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