Maryland transfer tax calculator
Maryland charges the state transfer tax at 0.5%. On a $425,000 home at statewide rates, that comes to $2,125. By custom, the seller pays $1,063 and the buyer $1,063. In some places, 55 county and city taxes add to it.
Below is every Maryland transfer tax rate, state, county and city, and who pays it by custom. Pick a county in the calculator to add local rates. Rates checked 2026-09-30.
Free Maryland seller net sheet calculator
Change any number and the local costs update.
| Real estate commission (5%) | −$21,250 |
| First mortgage payoff | −$255,000 |
| State transfer tax | −$1,063 |
| Release / satisfaction recording | −$60 |
| Title insurance and settlement | −$350 |
| Other closing fees | −$50 |
| Estimated net to seller | $147,228 |
How much is the transfer tax in Maryland?
On a $425,000 home, it is about $2,125 at statewide rates. The table lists the state rules and all 55 county and city taxes, with who pays each one by custom.
| Tax | Level | Rate | Who pays by custom |
|---|---|---|---|
| State transfer taxApplies: not first-time buyers | State | 0.5% | Split 50/50 |
| State transfer tax (first-time Maryland homebuyer: buyer's half waived)Applies: first-time buyersTax-Property 13-203: the buyer's share is waived for first-time Maryland homebuyers of a principal residence; the seller pays 0.25%. | State | 0.25% (seller share only) | Seller |
| Recordation tax (Baltimore City)Applies: secondary, investment residence | County | $5.00 per $500; $5.75 over $1M (15% yield surcharge) | Split 50/50 |
| Recordation tax (Baltimore City, principal residence)Applies: primary residence | County | $5.00 per $500 above $22,000 | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (Baltimore City) | County | 1.5%; 2.1% over $1M (40% yield surcharge) | Split 50/50 |
| Recordation tax (Baltimore County) | County | $2.50 per $500 | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (Baltimore County)Applies: secondary, investment residence | County | 1.5% | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (Baltimore County, principal residence)Applies: primary residence | County | 1.5% above $22,000 | Split 50/50 |
| Recordation tax (Montgomery County)Applies: secondary, investment residence | County | $4.45 / $6.75 / $10.20 / $10.78 / $11.35 per $500 by bracket (marginal) | Split 50/50 |
| Recordation tax (Montgomery County, owner-occupied)Applies: primary residence | County | First $100,000 exempt, then $4.45 / $6.75 / $10.20 / $10.78 / $11.35 per $500 (marginal) | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (Montgomery County) | County | 1% | Split 50/50 |
| Recordation tax (Prince George's County) | County | $2.75 per $500 | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (Prince George's County) | County | 1.4% | Split 50/50 |
| Recordation tax (Anne Arundel County) | County | $3.50 per $500 | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (Anne Arundel County) | County | 1%; 1.5% at $1M or more | Split 50/50 |
| Recordation tax (Howard County) | County | $2.50 per $500 | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (Howard County) | County | 1.25% | Split 50/50 |
| Recordation tax (Frederick County) | County | $7.00 per $500 (no county transfer tax) | Split 50/50 |
| Recordation tax (Harford County) | County | $3.30 per $500 | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (Harford County)Applies: secondary, investment residence | County | 1% | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (Harford County, principal residence)Applies: primary residence | County | 1% above $30,000 | Split 50/50 |
| Recordation tax (Carroll County) | County | $6.50 per $500 (no county transfer tax) | Split 50/50 |
| Recordation tax (Charles County) | County | $7.00 per $500 | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (Charles County) | County | 0.5% | Split 50/50 |
| Recordation tax (Calvert County) | County | $5.00 per $500 (no county transfer tax) | Split 50/50 |
| Recordation tax (St. Mary's County) | County | $4.00 per $500 | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (St. Mary's County)Applies: secondary, investment residence | County | 1% | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (St. Mary's County, principal residence)Applies: primary residence | County | 1% above $30,000 | Split 50/50 |
| Recordation tax (Washington County) | County | $3.80 per $500 | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (Washington County) | County | 0.5% of price above $50,000 | Split 50/50 |
| Recordation tax (Allegany County) | County | $3.50 per $500 | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (Allegany County, owner-occupied)Applies: primary residence | County | 0.5% above $50,000 | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (Allegany County)Applies: secondary, investment residence | County | 0.5% | Split 50/50 |
| Recordation tax (Caroline County) | County | $5.00 per $500 | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (Caroline County, owner-occupied)Applies: primary residence; not first-time buyers | County | 0.5% above $25,000 | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (Caroline County, first-time buyer)Applies: first-time buyers | County | 0.5% above $75,000 | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (Caroline County)Applies: secondary, investment residence | County | 0.5% | Split 50/50 |
| Recordation tax (Cecil County) | County | $4.10 per $500 | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (Cecil County)Applies: not first-time buyers | County | 0.5% | Split 50/50 |
| Recordation tax (Dorchester County) | County | $5.00 per $500 | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (Dorchester County, owner-occupied)Applies: primary residence | County | 0.75% above $30,000 | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (Dorchester County)Applies: secondary, investment residence | County | 0.75% | Split 50/50 |
| Recordation tax (Garrett County) | County | $3.50 per $500 | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (Garrett County) | County | 1% of price above $50,000 | Split 50/50 |
| Recordation tax (Kent County) | County | $3.30 per $500 | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (Kent County) | County | 0.5% | Split 50/50 |
| Recordation tax (Queen Anne's County) | County | $4.95 per $500 | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (Queen Anne's County)Applies: not first-time buyers | County | 0.5% | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (Queen Anne's County, first-time buyer)Applies: first-time buyers | County | 0.25% | Split 50/50 |
| Recordation tax (Somerset County) | County | $3.30 per $500 | Split 50/50 |
| Recordation tax (Talbot County) | County | $6.00 per $500 | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (Talbot County, owner-occupied)Applies: primary residence | County | 1% above $50,000 | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (Talbot County)Applies: secondary, investment residence | County | 1% | Split 50/50 |
| Recordation tax (Wicomico County) | County | $3.50 per $500 | Split 50/50 |
| Recordation tax (Worcester County) | County | $3.30 per $500 | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (Worcester County, owner-occupied)Applies: primary residence | County | 0.5% above $50,000 | Split 50/50 |
| County transfer tax (Worcester County)Applies: secondary, investment residence | County | 0.5% | Split 50/50 |
Who pays the transfer tax in Maryland?
On a $425,000 home at statewide rates, the seller pays $1,063 and the buyer $1,063. State transfer tax: split 50/50 between buyer and seller. The purchase contract can change who pays. Local taxes can follow a different custom. The table lists each one.
How does the Maryland transfer tax change with price?
It goes up with the price. On a $1,000,000 home, it is about $5,000 at statewide rates.
| Sale price | Seller pays | Buyer pays | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $625 | $625 | $1,250 |
| $425,000 typical home | $1,062.50 | $1,062.50 | $2,125 |
| $500,000 | $1,250 | $1,250 | $2,500 |
| $1,000,000 | $2,500 | $2,500 | $5,000 |
Is the Maryland transfer tax different by county?
Yes. Every Maryland county have a different total on a $425,000 sale.
| County | Seller pays | Buyer pays | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allegany County | $3,488 | $3,488 | $6,975 |
| Anne Arundel County | $4,675 | $4,675 | $9,350 |
| Baltimore County | $5,148 | $5,148 | $10,295 |
| City of Baltimore | $6,265 | $6,265 | $12,530 |
| Calvert County | $3,188 | $3,188 | $6,375 |
| Caroline County | $4,188 | $4,188 | $8,375 |
| Carroll County | $3,825 | $3,825 | $7,650 |
| Cecil County | $3,868 | $3,868 | $7,735 |
| Charles County | $5,100 | $5,100 | $10,200 |
| Dorchester County | $4,669 | $4,669 | $9,338 |
| Frederick County | $4,038 | $4,038 | $8,075 |
| Garrett County | $4,425 | $4,425 | $8,850 |
| Harford County | $4,440 | $4,440 | $8,880 |
| Howard County | $4,781 | $4,781 | $9,563 |
| Kent County | $3,528 | $3,528 | $7,055 |
| Montgomery County | $4,634 | $4,634 | $9,268 |
| Prince George's County | $5,206 | $5,206 | $10,413 |
| Queen Anne's County | $4,229 | $4,229 | $8,458 |
| Somerset County | $2,465 | $2,465 | $4,930 |
| St. Mary's County | $4,738 | $4,738 | $9,475 |
| Talbot County | $5,488 | $5,488 | $10,975 |
| Washington County | $3,615 | $3,615 | $7,230 |
| Wicomico County | $2,550 | $2,550 | $5,100 |
| Worcester County | $3,403 | $3,403 | $6,805 |
Are there transfer tax exemptions in Maryland?
Often, yes. Transfers between spouses, to a living trust, and by gift or inheritance are often exempt or taxed less. So are some first-time buyer and low-price sales. In Maryland, the special rules in the table above apply only in the cases they name. The calculator covers an ordinary home sale. Check an exemption with the title company or the county recorder before you count on it.
Sources
Checked 2026-09-30. These are estimates, not tax advice. The title or escrow company confirms the final figures.
Maryland transfer tax questions
How much is the transfer tax in Maryland?
Maryland charges the state transfer tax at 0.5%. On a $425,000 home at statewide rates, that comes to $2,125. By custom, the seller pays $1,063 and the buyer $1,063. In some places, 55 county and city taxes add to it.
Who pays the transfer tax in Maryland?
State transfer tax: split 50/50 between buyer and seller. The purchase contract can change who pays. Local taxes can follow a different custom. The table lists each one.
How much is the transfer tax on a $500,000 home in Maryland?
About $2,500 at statewide rates ($1,250 seller, $1,250 buyer). A county or city tax adds to it where one applies.
Does the buyer pay transfer tax in Maryland?
Yes, by custom the buyer pays part of it. That is $1,063 of the $2,125 on a $425,000 home.
Is the transfer tax deductible?
Not as a tax. For a seller, the transfer tax is a selling expense that lowers the gain on the sale. A buyer who pays it adds it to the home's cost basis (IRS Publications 523 and 551). Ask a tax adviser about your sale.
When is the transfer tax paid?
At closing. The title or escrow company collects it from the side that owes it. It pays the tax when the deed is recorded.
Put the transfer tax on a seller net sheet.
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