Property tax, transfer tax and closing costs in Vermont

Vermont: Property transfer tax of 1.25% of value plus a clean water surcharge of 0.22%, 1.47% in total, on most transfers. For a principal residence, 0.5% on the first $200,000 and 1.47% above it. A non-principal residence fit for year-round use that is not a long-term rental pays 3.4% plus the surcharge. Buyer pays by statute. Municipal grand list set each April 1. Town-wide reappraisal when the common level of appraisal falls outside the statutory range.

Reviewed October 15, 2026. Every line links its statute or official source.

What Vermont sets

Transfer tax: Property transfer tax of 1.25% of value plus a clean water surcharge of 0.22%, 1.47% in total, on most transfers. For a principal residence, 0.5% on the first $200,000 and 1.47% above it. A non-principal residence fit for year-round use that is not a long-term rental pays 3.4% plus the surcharge. Source: tax.vermont.gov
Who customarily pays: Buyer pays by statute. Source: tax.vermont.gov
Local transfer taxes: Not stated. No official source confirmed this yet.
Reassessment cycle: Municipal grand list set each April 1. Town-wide reappraisal when the common level of appraisal falls outside the statutory range. Source: tax.vermont.gov
Homestead and other exemptions: Homestead declaration applies the lower homestead education tax rate, with an income-based property tax credit. Source: tax.vermont.gov
Owner’s title policy: Not stated. No official source confirmed this yet.
How closings run: Attorney closings are customary. Source: vtbar.org
Survey: Not stated. No official source confirmed this yet.
Other closing customs: Not stated. No official source confirmed this yet.

Vermont transfer tax on a $317,000 sale

Property transfer tax and clean water surcharge (principal residence)buyer pays$2,719.90$200,000 × 0.5% = $1,000, then $117,000 × 1.47% = $1,719.90, total $2,719.90

buyer pays: $2,719.90
Total transfer tax: $2,719.90

Statutory transfer taxes on a $317,000 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.

Open the Vermont transfer tax calculator, with a link to share and an embed for your site.

Typical property tax in Vermont

Median real-estate tax paid: $5,039 a year
Per month: $420
Median owner-occupied home value: $316,600
Effective rate they imply: 1.59%

Census American Community Survey five-year file, 2020-2024, tables B25103 and B25077, owner-occupied homes. The median bill rose 16% against the 2015-2019 file. An estimate for a typical home, not yours. Your bill depends on the parcel, its exemptions and the next reassessment.

For agents

Your buyers ask what closing costs in Vermont and who pays. This page answers from the statute, with the date it was checked. Send it, or embed the calculator on your own site.

Ike lets a licensed real estate agent originate the mortgage on the deals they already close. Expected compensation is about 100 basis points per eligible funded loan once licensed and sponsored. Ike is preparing licenses state by state.

See if you qualify

Get the yearly update for your farm area

One email when Vermont rates, exemptions or transfer taxes change, and when the next reassessment lands.

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.