Maryland transfer tax calculator
State transfer tax of 0.5% of consideration (0.25% for a first-time Maryland homebuyer, paid entirely by the seller), plus county transfer taxes of up to 1.5% in most counties and recordation taxes of roughly $2.50 to $7 per $500, both varying by county.
Reviewed October 15, 2026. The math is shown line by line.
Maryland transfer tax on a $420,000 sale
- State transfer tax, buyer halfbuyer pays$1,050$420,000 × 0.5% = $2,100, half of it $1,050
- State transfer tax, seller halfseller pays$1,050$420,000 × 0.5% = $2,100, half of it $1,050
- buyer pays
- $1,050
- seller pays
- $1,050
- Total transfer tax
- $2,100
Statutory transfer taxes on a $420,000 sale, as of the reviewed date. Who pays is custom and contract outside the statute’s primary liability. Local taxes described above are not in this figure unless listed as a line. Recording fees, title and attorney charges are separate.
The rule behind the numbers
- Transfer tax
- State transfer tax of 0.5% of consideration (0.25% for a first-time Maryland homebuyer, paid entirely by the seller), plus county transfer taxes of up to 1.5% in most counties and recordation taxes of roughly $2.50 to $7 per $500, both varying by county. Source: dat.maryland.gov
- Who customarily pays
- Customarily split equally between buyer and seller. For a first-time Maryland homebuyer the seller pays the whole state transfer tax by statute. Source: dat.maryland.gov
- Local transfer taxes
- Most counties levy a transfer tax of up to 1.5% (Baltimore City 1.5%). Calvert, Carroll, Frederick, Somerset and Wicomico levy none. Every county levies a recordation tax. Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov
Sources
Ike Mortgage LLC. NMLS ID pending. For licensing information, go to: www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Nothing on this page is a loan payment, rate, term or down payment, and nothing here is a Loan Estimate.