District of Columbia real estate transfer tax
District of Columbia's transfer tax is 1.1%, customarily split-paid. Here's how it works, what it costs at common price points, and the statute behind it.
Estimated — not yet source-verified.Estimated — not yet source-verified. This figure is a knowledge estimate we have not yet confirmed against the official source, so this page is not indexed. Treat it as a rough guide only and verify with the state revenue department or county recorder.
The District of Columbia levies two taxes at closing. Recordation tax (buyer-paid, D.C. Code § 42-1103): 1.1% on the full price for sales under $400,000; 1.45% on the full price for sales of $400,000 or more. Transfer tax (seller-paid, D.C. Code § 47-903): same brackets — 1.1% under $400k, 1.45% at $400k+. Combined effective rate: 2.2% under $400k or 2.9% at $400k+. First-time homebuyers purchasing a principal residence may qualify for a reduced recordation tax of 0.725% on the first $400,000. Recording fee of $156 is a prior estimate; official fee schedule has not been re-confirmed.
How District of Columbia compares nationally
1.1%, #3 of 51 nationally; at $400,000, that is $3,760 above the median $640 tax at $400,000. This is a data-derived comparison against the 51 source-verified state and DC transfer-tax records, with no invented rates for null-tax states.
- Rate rank
- #3 of 51
- highest state transfer-tax rate first
- Tax at $400,000
- $4,400
- median-state tax $640
- Dataset date
- June 2026
- source-linked record
District of Columbia transfer-tax data: official source linked on this page, review date not provided.
What it costs at common prices
| Sale price | State transfer tax |
|---|---|
| $200,000 | $2,200 |
| $400,000 | $4,400 |
| $600,000 | $6,600 |
| $800,000 | $8,800 |
State-level only; county and city taxes may add to these figures.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the real estate transfer tax in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia's transfer tax is 1.1% of the sale price, customarily split-paid. The District of Columbia levies two taxes at closing. Recordation tax (buyer-paid, D.C. Code § 42-1103): 1.1% on the full price for sales under $400,000; 1.45% on the full price for sales of $400,000 or more. Transfer tax (seller-paid, D.C. Code § 47-903): same brackets — 1.1% under $400k, 1.45% at $400k+. Combined effective rate: 2.2% under $400k or 2.9% at $400k+. First-time homebuyers purchasing a principal residence may qualify for a reduced recordation tax of 0.725% on the first $400,000. Recording fee of $156 is a prior estimate; official fee schedule has not been re-confirmed.
Who pays the transfer tax in District of Columbia?
In District of Columbia the transfer tax is customarily split-paid, though it's negotiable in the purchase contract.
How is District of Columbia's transfer tax calculated?
Multiply the sale price by 1.1%. For example, on a $400,000 home that's about $4,400. The District of Columbia levies two taxes at closing. Recordation tax (buyer-paid, D.C. Code § 42-1103): 1.1% on the full price for sales under $400,000; 1.45% on the full price for sales of $400,000 or more. Transfer tax (seller-paid, D.C. Code § 47-903): same brackets — 1.1% under $400k, 1.45% at $400k+. Combined effective rate: 2.2% under $400k or 2.9% at $400k+. First-time homebuyers purchasing a principal residence may qualify for a reduced recordation tax of 0.725% on the first $400,000. Recording fee of $156 is a prior estimate; official fee schedule has not been re-confirmed.
Closest transfer-tax comparisons
These links are selected by nearby verified transfer-tax rates, not by a static related list.