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Pennsylvania real estate transfer tax

Pennsylvania's transfer tax is 1%, customarily split-paid. Here's how it works, what it costs at common price points, and the statute behind it.

Source-verified · 2026-Q272 P.S. § 8101-C (Realty Transfer Tax Act) Official source ↗

Pennsylvania charges a 1% state Realty Transfer Tax, and almost every municipality and school district adds a local 1% (so 2% total is typical, and Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are higher). By long-standing custom buyer and seller split the tax 50/50, though it's negotiable. Philadelphia's combined rate is about 4.278%.

What it costs at common prices

Sale priceState transfer tax
$200,000 $2,000
$400,000 $4,000
$600,000 $6,000
$800,000 $8,000

State-level only; county and city taxes may add to these figures.

Look up your transfer tax

$

Estimated transfer tax

$2,800

Rate: 0.7% · Customarily seller-paid

Who customarily pays
seller
Statute
Fla. Stat. § 201.02

Florida levies documentary stamp tax on the deed at $0.70 per $100 of price (0.70%) in every county except Miami-Dade. Miami-Dade charges $0.60 per $100 (0.60%) plus a $0.45/$100 surtax on non-single-family transfers. By custom the seller pays the deed stamps; the buyer pays the separate doc-stamp + intangible tax on the mortgage.

Frequently asked questions

What is the real estate transfer tax in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania's transfer tax is 1% of the sale price, customarily split-paid. Pennsylvania charges a 1% state Realty Transfer Tax, and almost every municipality and school district adds a local 1% (so 2% total is typical, and Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are higher). By long-standing custom buyer and seller split the tax 50/50, though it's negotiable. Philadelphia's combined rate is about 4.278%.

Who pays the transfer tax in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania the transfer tax is customarily split-paid, though it's negotiable in the purchase contract.

How is Pennsylvania's transfer tax calculated?

Multiply the sale price by 1%. For example, on a $400,000 home that's about $4,000. Pennsylvania charges a 1% state Realty Transfer Tax, and almost every municipality and school district adds a local 1% (so 2% total is typical, and Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are higher). By long-standing custom buyer and seller split the tax 50/50, though it's negotiable. Philadelphia's combined rate is about 4.278%.

Transfer tax in other states

All Pennsylvania closing costs →