Transfer Tax Calculator
State and local deed transfer tax on a sale, and who pays what.
Your numbers
Total transfer tax due at closing
$8,500.00
2.00% combined on $425,000
- State transfer tax$4,250.00
- Local / county transfer tax$4,250.00
- Seller's share$4,250.00
- Buyer's share$4,250.00
- Sale price
- $425,000
- Combined rate
- 2.00%
- Seller pays
- $4,250
- Buyer pays
- $4,250
State and local rates, and who customarily pays, vary by jurisdiction and are often negotiated. This is a starting estimate, not a title company quote.
Frequently asked questions
What is a transfer tax?+
A tax charged by the state, and often the county or city, when title to real estate changes hands. It is usually a percentage of the sale price and is collected at closing when the deed is recorded.
Who pays the transfer tax?+
It depends on the state and the contract. In many places the seller customarily pays, in others it is split or paid by the buyer, and it is often negotiated. The calculator lets you set the split.
Do all states charge one?+
No. Several states levy no transfer tax at all, and many that do add local taxes on top. The state rate shown is a starting point - enter the local rate for your county or city.
How transfer tax works
- State layer
- Charged as a percentage of the sale price, or per $500 or $1,000 of value in some states. A number of states charge none.
- Local layer
- Counties and municipalities frequently add their own tax on top, which can equal or exceed the state's.
- Who pays
- Custom and the purchase contract decide. It is a common negotiating point, particularly in split-cost states.