Punjab Govt Increases Court Fees and Stamp Duties With New Budget

The Punjab government has approved the Finance Bill 2024–25, which includes significant increases in court fees and stamp duties. These changes are part of an effort to generate an additional Rs 4.2 billion annually.

Changes in Stamp Duties

The stamp duties for various legal documents have seen substantial increases:

• The fee for affidavits has been increased from Rs 100 to Rs 300.
• The stamp duty on sale of immovable property has been raised from Rs 1,200 to Rs 3,000.
• The new fee for contracts worth Rs. 500,000 is Rs 3,000.
• The cost of divorce papers has been increased from Rs 100 to Rs 1,000.

New Rates Overview

Amendments to Court Fee Act 1870

The government has also amended the Court Fee Act 1870 and increased the court fee from Rs. 1 to Rs. 100 and Rs. 2 to Rs. 500.

Amendments to Stamp Act 1899

Changes to the Stamp Act 1899 include an increase in Stamp Duty from Rs. 100 to Rs. 300 and from Rs. 1,200 to Rs. 3,000.

Property Tax Calculation and Penalties

Property taxes will now be calculated based on capital value instead of rental value. Additionally, fines for tax evasion or underpayment have been introduced to ensure compliance.

These updates are part of the government’s strategy to enhance revenue collection and address fiscal challenges.

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