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The Indian Stamp Act, 1899

Central

An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to Stamps,

Act number
2 of 1899
Ministry
Ministry of Finance
Department
Department of Revenue
Enacted
27 Jan 1899
In force from
1 Jul 1899

Source: IndiaCode Portal, Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. Open on India Code Check against the official text before relying on it.

97 sections

  1. Section 1Short title, extent and commencement.
  2. Section 2Definitions.
  3. Section 3Instruments chargeable with duty.
  4. Section 3A[Repealed.].
  5. Section 4Several instruments used in single transaction of sale, mortgage or settlement.
  6. Section 5Instruments relating to several distinct matters.
  7. Section 6Instruments coming within several descriptions in Schedule I.
  8. Section 7Policies of sea-insurance.
  9. Section 8Bonds, debentures or other securities issued on loans under Act XI of 1879.
  10. Section 8ASecurities dealt in depository not liable to stamp-duty.
  11. Section 8BCorporatisation and demutualisation schemes and related instruments not liable to duty.
  12. Section 8CNegotiable warehouse receipts not liable to stamp duty.
  13. Section 8DAgreement or document for assignment of receivables not liable to stamp duty.
  14. Section 8EConversion of a branch of any bank into a wholly owned subsidiary of bank or transfer of shareholding of a bank to a holding company of bank not liable to duty.
  15. Section 8FAgreement or document for transfer or assignment of rights or interest in financial assets not liable to stamp duty.
  16. Section 8GStrategic sale, disinvestment, etc., of immovable property by Government company not liable to stamp duty.
  17. Section 9Power to reduce, remit or compound duties.
  18. Section 9AInstruments chargeable with duty for transactions in stock exchanges and depositories.
  19. Section 9BInstruments chargeable with duty for transactions otherwise than through stock exchanges and depositories.
  20. Section 10Duties how to be paid.
  21. Section 11Use of adhesive stamps.
  22. Section 12Cancellation of adhesive stamps.
  23. Section 13Instruments stamped with impressed stamps how to be written.
  24. Section 14Only one instrument to be on same stamps.
  25. Section 15Instrument written contrary to section 13 or 14 deemed unstamped.
  26. Section 16Denoting duty.
  27. Section 17Instrument executed in India.
  28. Section 18Instruments other than bills and notes executed out of India.
  29. Section 19Bills and notes drawn out of India.
  30. Section 20Conversion of amount expressed in foreign currencies.
  31. Section 21Stock and marketable securities how to be valued.
  32. Section 22Effect of statement of rate of exchange or average price.
  33. Section 23Instruments reserving interest.
  34. Section 23ACertain instruments connected with mortgages of marketable securities to be chargeable as agreements.
  35. Section 24How transfer in consideration of debt, or subject to future payment, etc., to be charged.
  36. Section 25Valuation in case of annuity, etc.
  37. Section 26Stamp where value of subject-matter is indeterminate.
  38. Section 27Facts affecting duty to be set forth in instrument.
  39. Section 28Direction as to duty in case of certain conveyances.
  40. Section 29Duties by whom payable.
  41. Section 30Obligation to give receipt in certain cases.
  42. Section 31Adjudication as to proper stamp.
  43. Section 32Certificate by Collector.
  44. Section 33Examination and impounding of instruments.
  45. Section 34Special provision as to unstamped receipts.
  46. Section 35Instruments not duly stamped inadmissible in evidence, etc.
  47. Section 36Admission of instrument where not to be questioned.
  48. Section 37Admission of improperly stamped instruments.
  49. Section 38Instruments impounded how dealt with.
  50. Section 39Collector's power to refund penalty paid under section 38, sub-section (1).
  51. Section 40Collector's power to stamp instruments impounded.
  52. Section 41Instruments unduly stamped by accident.
  53. Section 42Endorsement of instruments on which duty has been paid under sections 35, 40 or 41.
  54. Section 43Prosecution for offence against Stamp-law.
  55. Section 44Persons paying duty or penalty may recover same in certain cases.
  56. Section 45Power to Revenue-authority to refund penalty or excess duty in certain cases.
  57. Section 46Non-liability for loss of instruments sent under section 38.
  58. Section 47Power of payer to stamp bills, and promissory notes received by him unstamped.
  59. Section 48Recovery of duties and penalties.
  60. Section 49Allowance for spoiled stamps.
  61. Section 50Application for relief under section 49 when to be made.
  62. Section 51Allowance in case of printed forms no longer required by Corporations.
  63. Section 52Allowance for misused stamps.
  64. Section 53Allowance for spoiled or misused stamps how to be made.
  65. Section 54Allowance for stamps not required for use.
  66. Section 54AAllowances for stamps in denominations of annas.
  67. Section 54BAllowances for Refugee Relief stamps.
  68. Section 55Allowance on renewal of certain debentures.
  69. Section 56Control of, and statement of case to, Chief Controlling Revenue-authority.
  70. Section 57Statement of case by Chief Controlling Revenue-authority to High Court.
  71. Section 58Power of High Court to call for further particulars as to case stated.
  72. Section 59Procedure in disposing of case stated.
  73. Section 60Statement of case by other Courts to High Court.
  74. Section 61Revision of certain decisions of Courts regarding the sufficiency of stamps.
  75. Section 62APenalty for failure to comply with provisions of section 9A.
  76. Section 62Penalty for executing, etc., instrument not duly stamped.
  77. Section 63Penalty for failure to cancel adhesive stamp.
  78. Section 64Penalty for omission to comply with provisions of section 27.
  79. Section 65Penalty for refusal to give receipt, and for devices to evade duty on receipts.
  80. Section 66Penalty for not making out policy or making one not duly stamped.
  81. Section 67Penalty for not drawing full number of bills or marine policies purporting to be in sets.
  82. Section 68Penalty for post-dating bills, and for other devices to defraud the revenue.
  83. Section 69Penalty for breach of rule relating to sale of stamps and for unauthorised sale.
  84. Section 70Institution and conduct of prosecutions.
  85. Section 71Jurisdiction of Magistrates.
  86. Section 72Place of trial.
  87. Section 73Books, etc., to be open to inspection.
  88. Section 73APower of Central Government to make rules.
  89. Section 73BPower to issue directions and to authorise certain authorities to issue instructions, etc.
  90. Section 74Powers to make rules relating to sale of stamps.
  91. Section 75Powers to make rules generally to carry out Act.
  92. Section 76Publication of rules.
  93. Section 76ADelegation of certain powers.
  94. Section 77Saving as to court-fees.
  95. Section 77ASaving as to certain stamps.
  96. Section 78Act to be translated, and sold cheaply.
  97. Section 79[Repealed.].