What Are Real Estate Transfer Taxes?

When you buy or sell a property, you are generally required to pay real estate transfer taxes. The rate of tax varies by state, and in some cases, by county or municipality. In this article, we will provide an updated list of real estate transfer taxes by state for 2022. We will also discuss how these taxes are calculated and what you can do to minimize them.

When you purchase a home or other piece of real estate, you may be required to pay a transfer tax. This tax is based on the sale price of the property and is paid by the buyer to the state or local government.

Transaction taxes are sometimes also called recording fees, conveyance taxes, or stamp taxes. In some states, the seller is responsible for paying the tax, while in others it is split between the buyer and seller.

The amount of the tax varies by state but is generally between 0.01% and 2% of the sale price of the property. For example, on a $200,000 home, the transfer tax would range from $200 to $4,000.

Some states exempt certain types of buyers from paying transfer taxes, such as first-time homebuyers or those purchasing properties below a certain price threshold.

Who Pays for Real Estate Transfer Taxes?

So, who pays the transfer tax at closing? In the United States, real estate transfer taxes are typically paid by the buyer of a property. However, in some cases, the seller may be responsible for all or a portion of the tax.

State and local governments collect real estate transfer taxes when a property is sold. The tax is generally based on a percentage of the sale price, and it is paid at the time of closing. To answer the question are transfer taxes part of closing costs? Yes, they are.

Most states allow counties and cities to impose their own real estate transfer taxes, so the amount of tax that you will pay can vary depending on your location. For example, in California, state law allows counties to charge up to 1.5% of the sale price as a transfer tax, while cities are allowed to charge an additional 0.5%.

In some cases, sellers may be required to pay all or a portion of the real estate transfer tax. This is most common when there is a property transfer that has been held for a long time. It can also happen when properties are sold for less than their market value.

Where Do the Payments Go?

But what are transfer taxes in closing costs? When you buy a new home, either through a real estate agent or directly from the owner, you will likely be responsible for paying transfer taxes. These taxes are typically calculated as a percentage of the home’s sale price and are paid at the time of closing.

Transfer taxes go to the federal or local government where the property is located. The money is collected from transfer tax and is generally used to fund public services like schools and roads.

How Much Can Real Estate Transfer Taxes Cost?

The cost of real estate transfer taxes can vary greatly by state. But what is transfer taxes in closing cost? In some states, the tax is a flat fee, while in others it is a percentage of the home’s sale price. The average cost of real estate transfer taxes in the United States is $1,500, but it can range from as little as $100 to over $5,000.

Some states exempt certain buyers from paying real estate transfer taxes, such as first-time homebuyers or buyers who are purchasing a property for less than a certain amount. Additionally, some states offer tax breaks or credits for properties that are being sold for redevelopment or preservation purposes.

If you are planning on buying a home in the near future, it is important to research the real estate transfer taxes in your state so that you can budget accordingly.

How Do You Calculate Transfer Tax?

There are a few different ways to calculate real estate transfer taxes and transfer fees, and the method used will vary by state. In some states, the tax is calculated as a percentage of the sale price of the property. While in other states, the tax is based on the value of the property as determined by an appraisal.

To calculate the transfer tax in a percentage-based system, you will take the sale price of the property and multiply it by the state’s transfer tax rate. For example, if you are selling a property in Pennsylvania for $200,000 and the state’s transfer tax rate is 1%, you would owe $2,000 in transfer taxes.

In an appraisal-based system, an appraiser will determine the fair market value of the property being sold. The transfer tax will then be calculated as a percentage of that appraised value. So, if a property is appraised at $300,000 and the state’s transfer tax rate is 1.5%, the total transfer taxes owed would be $4,500.

How They Differ from Other Real Estate Taxes

Real estate transfer taxes are taxes levied by states, counties, and municipalities on the sale of real property. They are sometimes also referred to as recording fees or mortgage registration taxes.

Transfer taxes are generally calculated as a percentage of the sale price of the property, and they are paid by the seller at the time of closing. In some cases, the buyer may also be responsible for paying a portion of the transfer tax.

They can vary greatly from one jurisdiction to another. In most cases, real estate transfer taxes are imposed by state governments. However, some counties and municipalities also have their own transfer tax rates.

While real estate transfer taxes can be a significant cost when buying or selling a home, it’s important to keep in mind that they are generally not negotiable like other closing costs such as title insurance or loan origination fees.

Real Estate Transfer Taxes by States

The table below shows the transfer taxes charged by each state as of July 2022:

States With No Real Estate Transfer Taxes

As of 2020, the following states do not have a real estate transfer tax:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Florida
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Wyoming

Some states exempt certain types of transactions from the tax. For example, those involving family members or transfers for conservation purposes, so it’s always best to check with your local taxing authority to see if your sale is subject to the tax.

In addition to being levied by the state in which the property is located, some localities also impose their own real estate transfer taxes. For example, Cook County in Illinois has a real estate transfer tax of $7 per $1,000 in sale price. On the other hand, New York City imposes a tax of $5 per $500 sale price.

Conclusion

When buying a home, it’s very important to check what is the real estate transfer tax price before closing the deal. You can check with your lawyer or a district office who is going to be responsible for paying the tax.

And if you were wondering what are transfer taxes on closing costs and if you should pay one, this article will give you all the needed information. Also, we do recommend always doing the needed diligence before closing the deal.