Uniform stamp duty on stock market transactions soon

02 Nov 2011 Evaluate

The government’s move to have a uniform duty structure for stock market transactions is likely to be fulfilled soon, as the finance ministry is planning to submit the Indian Stamps Act (Amendment) Bill 2011 in the coming winter session of Parliament. According to a finance ministry official, the ministry has received comments on the draft bill and most state governments were on board. The bill would be sent to Union Cabinet for its approval this month.

In the proposed draft bill, the stamp duty will be collected by the stock exchanges from the seller and then passed on to the states where the seller is based. The ministry of finance is planning to replace the current practice of different stamp duty rates in stock market transactions by proposing uniform rate of 0.003% on future and options trading and for currency derivatives; the ministry is planning a rate of 0.0001%.

However, the stamp duty on stock market transactions is officially a state subject and many states have adopted the Indian Stamp Act. The state governments will have to agree to the proposals to give effect to a uniform rate. Currently stamp duty varies from state to state.

In order to provide relief to stock market investors, the ministry of finance is also planning to reduce the Securities Transaction Tax (STT). However, ministry may take final decision on this while making union budget in February.

The finance ministry official further said, that the intent is to rationalize STT and synchronies it with developed countries, by adding further he said 30-40% could be considered.

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