Virginia transfer tax calculator
Virginia charges the grantor's tax at $0.50 per $500 ($1.00 per $1,000) plus the state recordation tax on deed (grantee) at $0.25 per $100. On a $380,000 home at statewide rates, that comes to $1,647. By custom, the seller pays $380 and the buyer $1,267. In some places, 3 county and city taxes add to it.
Below is every Virginia 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 Virginia seller net sheet calculator
Change any number and the local costs update.
| Real estate commission (5%) | −$19,000 |
| First mortgage payoff | −$230,000 |
| Grantor's tax | −$380 |
| Release / satisfaction recording | −$27 |
| Title insurance and settlement | −$450 |
| Other closing fees | −$50 |
| Estimated net to seller | $130,093 |
How much is the transfer tax in Virginia?
On a $380,000 home, it is about $1,647 at statewide rates. The table lists the state rules and all 3 county and city taxes, with who pays each one by custom.
| Tax | Level | Rate | Who pays by custom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grantor's tax | State | $0.50 per $500 ($1.00 per $1,000) | Seller |
| State recordation tax on deed (grantee) | State | $0.25 per $100 | Buyer |
| Regional congestion relief fee (Northern Virginia grantor's tax)Applies: Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Alexandria city, Fairfax city, Falls Church city, Manassas city, Manassas Park city counties | Regional | $0.20 per $100 (Planning District 8) | Seller |
| Regional transportation improvement fee (Hampton Roads grantor's tax)Applies: Chesapeake city, Hampton city, Newport News city, Norfolk city, Portsmouth city, Virginia Beach city counties | Regional | $0.06 per $100 (Planning District 23) | Seller |
| Local recordation tax on deed (one-third of state) | County | $0.0833 per $100 | Buyer |
Who pays the transfer tax in Virginia?
On a $380,000 home at statewide rates, the seller pays $380 and the buyer $1,267. Grantor's tax: paid by the seller. State recordation tax on deed (grantee): paid by the buyer. The purchase contract can change who pays. Local taxes can follow a different custom. The table lists each one.
How does the Virginia transfer tax change with price?
It goes up with the price. On a $1,000,000 home, it is about $4,333 at statewide rates.
| Sale price | Seller pays | Buyer pays | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $250 | $833.33 | $1,083.33 |
| $380,000 typical home | $380 | $1,266.67 | $1,646.67 |
| $500,000 | $500 | $1,666.67 | $2,166.67 |
| $1,000,000 | $1,000 | $3,333.33 | $4,333.33 |
Is the Virginia transfer tax different by county?
Yes. 15 of 133 Virginia counties have a different total on a $380,000 sale. The rest owe $1,647.
| County | Seller pays | Buyer pays | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Alexandria | $1,140 | $1,267 | $2,407 |
| Arlington County | $1,140 | $1,267 | $2,407 |
| City of Chesapeake | $608 | $1,267 | $1,875 |
| Fairfax County | $1,140 | $1,267 | $2,407 |
| City of Fairfax | $1,140 | $1,267 | $2,407 |
| City of Falls Church | $1,140 | $1,267 | $2,407 |
| City of Hampton | $608 | $1,267 | $1,875 |
| Loudoun County | $1,140 | $1,267 | $2,407 |
| City of Manassas | $1,140 | $1,267 | $2,407 |
| City of Manassas Park | $1,140 | $1,267 | $2,407 |
| City of Newport News | $608 | $1,267 | $1,875 |
| City of Norfolk | $608 | $1,267 | $1,875 |
| City of Portsmouth | $608 | $1,267 | $1,875 |
| Prince William County | $1,140 | $1,267 | $2,407 |
| City of Virginia Beach | $608 | $1,267 | $1,875 |
Does Virginia have a mortgage tax?
Yes. Virginia also taxes the buyer's new mortgage. Cash buyers do not pay it.
| Tax | Level | Rate | Who pays by custom |
|---|---|---|---|
| State recordation tax on deed of trust | State | $0.25 per $100 | Buyer |
| Local recordation tax on deed of trust | County | $0.0833 per $100 | Buyer |
Are there transfer tax exemptions in Virginia?
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. 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.
Virginia transfer tax questions
How much is the transfer tax in Virginia?
Virginia charges the grantor's tax at $0.50 per $500 ($1.00 per $1,000) plus the state recordation tax on deed (grantee) at $0.25 per $100. On a $380,000 home at statewide rates, that comes to $1,647. By custom, the seller pays $380 and the buyer $1,267. In some places, 3 county and city taxes add to it.
Who pays the transfer tax in Virginia?
Grantor's tax: paid by the seller. State recordation tax on deed (grantee): paid by the buyer. 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 Virginia?
About $2,167 at statewide rates ($500 seller, $1,667 buyer). A county or city tax adds to it where one applies.
Does the buyer pay transfer tax in Virginia?
Yes, by custom the buyer pays part of it. That is $1,267 of the $1,647 on a $380,000 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 grantor's tax on a seller net sheet.
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