Average Transfer Tax in District of Columbia (2026 Data)
Last updated: 2026-04-04
District of Columbia transfer tax benchmark
| Range | Low | Typical | High | Flag Above |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer Tax | $0.00/thousand | $2.00/thousand | $10.00/thousand | $15.00/thousand |
Based on District of Columbia closing cost data. Median home price: $630,000. Rates shown per $1,000 of coverage or sale price.
What the transfer tax covers
Transfer taxes (also called deed stamps, documentary stamps, or excise taxes) are taxes imposed by state, county, or city governments when real property changes hands. The tax is typically calculated as a rate per thousand dollars of the sale price. Transfer taxes appear in Section E of your Closing Disclosure.
Transfer tax rules vary enormously by state. About 13 states impose no transfer tax at all (including Texas, Indiana, and Wyoming). Others charge modest rates ($1 to $3 per thousand). A few states and cities have very high rates — New York City's combined transfer taxes can exceed 2% of the sale price.
This fee appears in Section E — Taxes and Other Government Fees of your Closing Disclosure.
Is the transfer tax negotiable in District of Columbia?
Transfer taxes in District of Columbia are set by law and non-negotiable. They are customarily paid by the split. Who pays can be renegotiated in the purchase contract.
District of Columbia note
DC deed recordation tax (buyer): 1.1% of purchase price for properties under $400,000; 1.45% for $400,000 and above. DC deed transfer tax (seller): same rates — 1.1% under $400K; 1.45% at $400K+. Combined buyer+seller burden: 2.2% (under $400K) or 2.9% (at $400K+). First-time homebuyer reduced recordation tax: 0.725% on qualifying purchases up to $777,000 (FY2026 cap; 180% AMI income limit). Buyer pays the deed recordation tax; seller pays the deed transfer tax — both at the same rate. The 'combined buyer+seller' framing describes the total transaction cost, not that one party pays both. DC's combined transfer tax rate is among the highest in the nation. The DC mansion tax (FY2025 budget) is an annual property tax surcharge on assessed values over $2.5M — it does NOT affect closing costs.
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Red flags: signs your transfer tax is inflated
Transfer tax rate doesn't match the published state or county rate for your jurisdiction
Transfer tax charged in a state that has no transfer tax
Buyer is being charged a transfer tax that is customarily paid by the seller in that state
City or county transfer tax is missing when the jurisdiction imposes one
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Transfer Tax questions
Does every state have a transfer tax?
No. About 13 states have no transfer tax at any level — including Texas, Indiana, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, Alaska, Louisiana, and Oregon.
Who pays the transfer tax — buyer or seller?
It depends on the state and the contract. In many states, the seller customarily pays. In others, it's the buyer or split. The purchase contract can override local custom, so check your agreement.
Can transfer taxes be negotiated?
The tax rate itself cannot be negotiated — it's set by law. But who pays it can be negotiated in the purchase contract. Some buyers successfully negotiate for the seller to cover transfer taxes as a concession.
Related pages
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Most buyers find $1,500–$3,000 in negotiable fees.
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