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State Transfer Tax Calculator

State transfer tax — also called deed stamps or documentary tax — is charged on property transfers. Stacks state + county + city layers. Buyer-seller split varies by market. This calculator stacks all three and splits per custom allocation.

Sale price

State transfer tax rate

County transfer tax rate

City / local transfer tax rate

Buyer-Seller split (% seller pays)

Total transfer tax

$22,500

Seller share

$11,250

Buyer share

$11,250

State tax

$11,250

County tax

$3,750

City/local tax

$7,500

How the math works

State transfer tax — also called 'deed stamp,' 'documentary stamp,' or 'conveyance tax' — is charged on real property transfers. Rates and splits vary wildly: NY has a 2.05% mansion tax + 1.425% city on $2M+ deals; CA is minimal state but city transfer tax can be 2.5% in LA. Always pull current rates from the county recorder.

Buyer-seller split is custom by state/market. TX: split 50/50. NY: buyer. CA: varies. Always confirm in the purchase agreement.

Editorial noteMaintained by EveryCalc - Reviewed June 2026

EveryCalc calculators are designed for fast, practical estimates with transparent inputs and no required account. We use plain formulas, visible assumptions, and related tools so visitors can check the result from more than one angle.

Results are informational only. For financial, tax, legal, medical, construction, or other high-impact decisions, verify the output against primary sources or a qualified professional.

Learn more about our review process on the EveryCalc methodology page.

How this calculator works

What this page estimates

This State Transfer Tax Calculator is built to give a quick, browser-based estimate for state transfer tax. State transfer tax — also called deed stamps or documentary tax — is charged on property transfers. Stacks state + county + city layers. Buyer-seller split varies by market. This calculator stacks all three and splits per custom allocation. The inputs stay on the page during normal use, and the result should be treated as an estimate for planning, comparison, or education rather than professional advice.

Calculation approach

The calculator applies the standard relationship implied by the inputs, then formats the answer so it can be checked and reused. For finance tools, the most important step is using consistent units, rates, time periods, and assumptions before comparing the result with another calculator or outside quote.

Example workflow

For example, start with a realistic value you already know, change one input at a time, and watch how the answer moves. That makes it easier to tell whether the result is being driven by the main amount, the rate, the time period, or a unit conversion.

Practical checks

Use current, real-world numbers when the result affects money, health, tax, or legal decisions.
Run a low, base, and high case when the inputs are estimates.
Check the related calculators below when the next decision depends on a different assumption.

How to interpret the state transfer tax result

Best use

Use the result as a planning number for comparing payments, rates, returns, tax reserves, or cash-flow choices before you request a quote or make a commitment.

Cross-check

Compare the answer with the contract, lender estimate, tax form, brokerage statement, payroll record, or invoice that will control the real-world outcome.

Watch for

Do not rely on a single optimistic rate, return, or fee assumption. Money pages work best when you run low, base, and high cases and keep professional advice separate from the estimate.

This page belongs to the Finance calculator library, so the answer should be read in the context of the decision you are modeling rather than as a universal rule.

Before relying on this state transfer tax estimate

Most calculator mistakes come from the inputs, not the arithmetic. Use this short audit before you reuse the answer in a spreadsheet, quote, application, or important conversation.

Confirm source numbers

Match balances, rates, fees, taxes, income, and payment dates against the lender quote, payroll record, tax form, statement, invoice, or contract.

Separate cash flow from total cost

A lower monthly payment can still cost more over time if fees, interest, taxes, or a longer term are hidden in the structure.

Run conservative cases

Test at least one higher-cost or lower-return case before using the output for a purchase, refinance, investment, loan, or tax decision.

Rerun this page when the rate, price, term, fee, tax rule, income, expense, or expected holding period changes.

How to Use

Enter sale price.
Enter state, county, and city transfer tax rates (check current local rates).
Enter buyer-seller split (% seller pays).
Read total transfer tax.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common rates?

Varies hugely. Some states (TX, LA, MS) have $1 per $1,000 (0.1%). NY is 0.4% state + up to 1.425% NYC. CA state is minimal but cities can be 1-2.5%. Always verify current local rate at closing.

Who pays?

Purchase agreement controls. Common splits: FL seller; CA split or seller; NY buyer; TX split. In hot markets sellers push the burden to buyers; in slow markets the reverse.

Mansion tax?

NY adds 1% mansion tax on $1M+ deals. 2019 expanded for residential $2M+: 1.25% → 3.9% tiered. Check state/local specials when deal exceeds these thresholds.