South Dakota Transfer Tax: How Much It Is and Who Pays
South Dakota's Real Estate Transfer Fee is $0.50 per $500 of price or fraction (0.1%): $319 on a $318,500 home.
South Dakota transfer tax by purchase price
| Purchase price | State tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $150,000 | $150 | $150 |
| $200,000 | $200 | $200 |
| $250,000 | $250 | $250 |
| $300,000 | $300 | $300 |
| $350,000 | $350 | $350 |
| $400,000 | $400 | $400 |
| $450,000 | $450 | $450 |
| $500,000 | $500 | $500 |
| $600,000 | $600 | $600 |
| $700,000 | $700 | $700 |
| $800,000 | $800 | $800 |
| $1,000,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
Transfer tax calculator
Who pays
In South Dakota the seller pays the transfer tax by statute or custom, so it usually reduces the seller's proceeds rather than adding to the buyer's closing costs. The fee 'shall be paid by the grantor' (seller) under S.D. Codified Laws Section 43-4-21. Source
Frequently asked questions
How much is the transfer tax in South Dakota?
The state rate is $0.50 per $500 of price or fraction (0.1%), which is $319 on a $318,500 home.
Who pays the transfer tax in South Dakota?
In South Dakota the seller pays the transfer tax by statute or custom, so it usually reduces the seller's proceeds rather than adding to the buyer's closing costs. The fee 'shall be paid by the grantor' (seller) under S.D. Codified Laws Section 43-4-21. Source
Is there a mortgage or recordation tax too?
No. South Dakota taxes the deed only; recording the mortgage costs a flat recording fee, not a percentage.
Are there exemptions?
S.D. Codified Laws Section 43-4-22 exempts transfers for no consideration, government transfers, and transfers securing a debt, among other categories; there is no general first-time-buyer credit.
Sources
Rates as the statute or revenue department publishes them, checked 2026-09-22. Figures are computed from those rates and rounded to the dollar; exemptions for first-time buyers or principal residences are noted where they exist and are not applied. All sources.
All South Dakota buyer closing costs → South Dakota title insurance cost →
Figures are computed from the statute cited above and rounded to the dollar. This is general information, not tax or legal advice.
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