Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Transfer of Immovable Property
Transfer of Immovable Property
Under section 122 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882, one can transfer
immovable property through a registered gift deed. The immoveable
property is transferred voluntarily without any consideration. Transfer
through a gift deed is also irreversible and binding. To make the transfer
valid it is mandatory to register a gift deed with the sub-registrar as per
section 17 of the Registration Act, 1908, and section 123 of the Transfer of
Property Act, 1882.
The Income tax Act, 1961 specifies that capital gains arising out of a
gifted property to blood relations are exempted from tax. However,
income accrued from the gifted asset may be taxable.
Generally the transfer by way of partition takes place in cases where the
Karta of the Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) owns various/larger
properties (land or otherwise) and wants to transfer the same to other
family members Once the partition deed is executed, each member
becomes the independent owner of his/her share in the property and is free
to sell, lease, gift, etc. his/her asset.
The only issue that remains in this kind of transfer is that there will be only
one title deed in original and various other owners won’t be able to hold
the custody of the original. However, the same does not vitiate the
ownership right of the individuals over the property/ies.
To attain legal validity, a partition deed must be registered with the sub-
registrar of the area in which the immovable asset is located.
The parties involved in the partition will have to pay stamp duty charges
(under the provisions of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899) and registration
charges, to get the partition deed registered.
The beneficiaries are not liable to pay any capital gains tax after the
division of a property through a partition deed.
It is crucial for the Sale Deed to be registered in the sub registrar’s office.
A Sale Deed if not registered does not pass the ownership to the buyer
even if he has paid the full amount upfront to the seller. Stamp duty and
registration fee are to be paid compulsorily for such transfer and such kind
of transfer attracts capital gain tax.
The said deed must be registered as per section 17 of the Registration Act,
1908.
The stamp duty is applicable only on the portion that is relinquished and
not on the full property value.
As per section 5 of the Indian Trusts Act, 1882, s trust having immovable
property and created through a non-testamentary instrument has to be
declared through a registered written instrument.
Stamp duty on instrument of transfer (i.e., the Trust Deed) attracts a stamp
duty of 2-3% of value of assets transferred under the Trust Deed.
However, the State Stamp Act will be the final authority to decide actual
levy of stamp duty.
The stamp duty for the Exchange Deed will be the same as in a sale of
immovable property. The stamp duty will be calculated on the basis of the
property which has a higher value.
By a Will
In transfer by a Will, the vesting of the property will take effect, after the
death of the person executing the Will and as per law of succession, the
properties are transferred if a person dies intestate. However, the
beneficiaries will only receive ownership post the death of the testator.
Moreover, any asset inherited, either under a Will or through the laws of
succession, is exempted from income tax laws. Re-sale of property will
attract regular capital gains by the beneficiary.
Letter of Administration
Conclusion
After analysing various modes of transfer and its pros and cons, it can be
concluded that the transfer by way of sale, though not cost effective and
subject to is the most effective, recognised and prevalent as this mode of
transfer gives an absolute, unconditional and unfettered right of ownership
over the property. However, if the transfer is to be done within blood
relations, then it is advisable to get the transfer done by way of Gift deed
or relinquishment deed if one of the joint owners is releasing/transferring
his/her undivided share in the property. Further, in case the owner of a
property wants to enjoy the property during his/her lifetime and wishes to
transfer it to his/her kin and kith on his demise, then the available option is
to execute a Will which will take effect post demise of the Testator (owner
of the asset who writes his/her Will).
(It must be noted that the registration fees and stamp duty will vary from
state to state)