Real Estate Transfer Tax Calculator — All
50 States

A real estate transfer tax (also called a deed tax, conveyance tax, documentary stamp tax, or realty transfer fee) is a tax charged by state, county, or municipal governments when ownership of real property changes hands. It's calculated as a percentage of the sale price and is typically collected at closing by the title company or closing attorney. Not all states impose a transfer tax — Alaska, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming have no state transfer tax.

It depends on the state — and even within a state, the purchase contract can shift the obligation. In most states, the seller pays (Florida, California, Michigan, New York, Georgia). In some states, the buyer pays (Vermont, Minnesota). In others, buyer and seller split the tax (New Hampshire, Maine, Pennsylvania, Maryland). The 'conventional' payer varies by state, but because transfer taxes are negotiable in the purchase contract, either party can agree to cover all or part of the other side's obligation as a closing cost concession.

Delaware has one of the highest combined rates — reaching 4% total (2% state + 2% county split between buyer and seller). New York's combined state + NYC taxes can reach over 4% for luxury properties, plus the mansion tax (1–3.9% on sales over $1M). New Hampshire's total effective rate is 1.5% (0.75% from each party). Connecticut's rate reaches 2.25% on amounts over $2.5M. Washington State's top tier is 3.0% on sales over $3.025M. Pennsylvania reaches 4.278% combined in Philadelphia.

As of 2026, states with no state-level real estate transfer tax include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming (15 states total). Arizona goes further by preempting local transfer taxes by statute under A.R.S. § 11-1134, meaning no county or city can impose one. In these states, closing costs exclude transfer taxes — buyers and sellers pay recording fees and title insurance only on the deed recording component.

No — they are completely different. Transfer tax is a one-time tax paid at closing when property changes ownership, calculated as a percentage of the sale price. Property tax is an ongoing annual tax assessed on the property's assessed value, paid by the current owner every year. Transfer taxes go to the state or local government at closing. Property taxes fund ongoing local government services (schools, roads, fire, etc.). Transfer taxes often range from 0.1% to 4% of the sale price paid once; property taxes are typically 0.5% to 2.5% of assessed value paid annually.

To calculate transfer tax: (1) identify your state's rate (find it using this calculator by selecting your state); (2) check whether your county or city adds a local surcharge; (3) multiply the sale price by the applicable rate(s). For example, a $500,000 home in Michigan: state rate $7.50 per $1,000 = $3,750, plus county rate $1.10 per $1,000 = $550, total = $4,300. In a no-tax state like Texas, the calculation is $0. Always verify with your title company, which will compute the exact amount based on the recorded sale price.