Latest Answer: You have to pay a service tax of 4 per cent before completion of the construction of the apartment, and a VAT of 3 per cent. Other than these two taxes, you will also have to pay stamp duty of 5, 6 or 7 per cent. There is also VAT on materials used for construction, and also excise duty, which are other taxes that you have to pay. In total you will have to pay around 25 to 30 per cent of tax in Kochi for an apartment.