By CA Manoj Kohli 16th September2009 Businessmen can now pay stamp duty sitting anywhere in India electronically by logging on to the MCA web site. Electronic payment of stamp duty for setting up a company, which has been introduced on September 13, 2009, will become compulsory from January 1, 2010, an order issued by the ministry stated. The twenty two state governments, which authorised the central government to electronically collect stamp duty on their behalf, will be paid back the amount by the Centre. This removes the last hurdle for electronic incorporation of new companies without visiting a government office. Collection of stamp duty falls under the exclusive domain of state governments. The states which are yet to authorise the Centre on collection of stamp duty on their behalf and where the physical stamping procedures will continue, include Chandigarh, Daman and Diu, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Goa, Jammu & Kashmir, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.