Apr 05, 2021

Amendments to Maharashtra Stamp Act

Introduction

On 9 February 2021 the Maharashtra governor promulgated the Maharashtra Stamp (Amendment and Validation) Ordinance 2021 with immediate effect. The ordinance introduced two key amendments to the Maharashtra Stamp Act 1958 concerning:

  • the stamping of documents that encompass multiple transactions; and
  • stamp duty rates for agreements that relate to:
  • the creation of a mortgage by deposit of title deeds; and
  • mortgage deeds.

On 9 December 2020 the Maharashtra Cabinet discussed and approved these amendments.

Stamping of instruments relating to several distinct matters or transactions

Section 5 of the Maharashtra Stamp Act, which deals with the stamping of various instruments that relate to several distinct matters, has been amended retrospectively with effect from 11 August 2015. The section now includes instruments that relate to not only distinct matters but also distinct transactions.

The Maharashtra Stamp (Amendment and Validation) Ordinance aligns with the interpretation adopted by the Supreme Court in Chief Controlling Revenue Authority v Coastal Gujarat Power Ltd. In this case, the court held that a single mortgage deed which had been executed in favour of a security trustee for the benefit of 13 lenders had to be construed as 13 distinct transactions and stamped accordingly for each transaction.

In Navi Mumbai SEZ v State of Maharashtra, it was contended on similar facts that the wording of the Gujarat Stamp Act 1958 and the Maharashtra Stamp Act was different – the term ‘distinct transactions’ was not used in the Maharashtra Stamp Act. Relying on past precedents, the Bombay High Court held that the phrase ‘distinct matters’, which appears in Section 5 of the Maharashtra Stamp Act, is equivalent to the phrase ‘distinct transactions’. Therefore, stamp duty should be levied in accordance with the principles set out in Coastal Gujarat Power.

The Maharashtra Stamp (Amendment and Validation) Ordinance has clarified the courts’ stance that instruments which cover two or more distinct transactions – that cannot blend into one and be construed as part of a single transaction – must be stamped individually. Since the amendment to Section 5 of the Maharashtra Stamp Act is retrospective, parties must ensure that any such instruments executed after 11 August 2015 are adequately stamped.

Changes in stamp duty rates

The Maharashtra Stamp (Amendment and Validation) Ordinance amends and makes uniform the rates applicable to agreements that relate to the deposit of:

  • title deeds, pawns, pledges or hypothecation (Article 6 of Schedule I of the Maharashtra Stamp Act); and
  • mortgage deeds (Article 40 of Schedule I of the Maharashtra Stamp Act).

These changes seek to remedy the increase in stamp duty evasion resulting from the differences between the stamp duty rates of these instruments. These changes are prospective in nature, unlike the retrospective amendment to Section 5.

The following table shows the Maharashtra Stamp (Amendment and Validation) Ordinance amendments to stamp duty rates.

Serial numberSectionStamp duty rates prior to the ordinanceStamp duty rates following the ordinance
1Article 6(1)(b) – agreements that evidence deposit of title deeds to secure repayment of debt exceeding Rs500,0000.2% of the amount secured by the deed, up to a maximum of Rs1 million0.3% of the amount secured by the deed, up to a maximum of Rs1 million
2Article 6(2)(b) – agreements that evidence pawn, pledge or hypothecation of movable property to secure repayment of debt exceeding Rs500,0000.2% of the amount secured by the deed, up to a maximum of Rs1 million0.3% of the amount secured by the deed, up to a maximum of Rs1 million
3Article 6(3) – instruments that are executed as a collateral, auxiliary or additional security where the proper duty has been paid on the principal or primary securityNot applicableRs500
4Article 40(b) – mortgage deeds where the mortgager does not give or agree to give possession0.5% of the amount secured by the deed, up to a maximum of Rs1 million0.1% of the amount secured by the deed or a minimum of Rs100 if the amount secured by the deed does not exceed Rs500,000

0.3% of the amount secured by the deed, up to a maximum of Rs1 million, if the amount secured by the deed exceeds Rs500,000

Comment

It was inevitable that changes would be introduced to stamp acts across the country to align them with the court’s view in Coastal Gujarat Power. Market practice in financial transactions generally took this view into account anyway: stamp duty calculations are usually based on the number of lenders or banks that are involved in the security documentation.

It remains to be seen whether the amendment will enable the Revenue Department to apply this view in other cases. For example, in addition to stamp duty being payable based on the number of lenders in cases where there are multiple lenders, it could be argued that additional stamp duty is payable on security documents if there are:

  • multiple borrowers or security providers;
  • multiple facilities or debts being secured; or
  • multiple properties over which a party seeks to create a security.

The Maharashtra Stamp (Amendment and Validation) Ordinance has also given legislative effect to the position taken by the Bombay High Court in Navi Mumbai SEZ, and in cases where instruments are stamped in Maharashtra, parties may not disregard the court’s view in Coastal Gujarat Power due to the absence of the words ‘distinct transactions’ in the Maharashtra Stamp Act.

Moreover, since the amendment to Section 5 of the Maharashtra Stamp Act is applicable retrospectively, parties may need to re-examine documents that have been executed for transactions since 11 August 2015 to determine whether they have followed the court’s decision in Coastal Gujarat Power. If not, this may result in issues arising during the audit process and documents may require impounding or adjudication pursuant to the provisions of the Maharashtra Stamp Act.

For further information on this topic please contact Ishan Handa, Shivanand Nayak or Janhavi Patankar at AZB & Partners by telephone (+91 22 4072 9999) or email (ishan.handa@azbpartners.com, shivanand.nayak@azbpartners.com or janhavi.patankar@azbpartners.com). The AZB & Partners website can be accessed at www.azbpartners.com.

Authors:

Ishan Handa, Partner
Shivanand Nayak, Senior Associate
Janhavi Patankar, Associate

AUTHORS & CONTRIBUTORS

  • Partner:

    Ishan Handa

  • Associates:

    Shivanand Nayak

    Janhavi Patankar

TAGS

SHARE

DISCLAIMER

These are the views and opinions of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Firm. This article is intended for general information only and does not constitute legal or other advice and you acknowledge that there is no relationship (implied, legal or fiduciary) between you and the author/AZB. AZB does not claim that the article's content or information is accurate, correct or complete, and disclaims all liability for any loss or damage caused through error or omission.