Virginia Transfer Tax: How Much It Is and Who Pays
Virginia's State + Local Recordation Tax (deed, buyer-paid portion) is 0.333% of the purchase price: $1,541 on a $462,400 home. Cities and counties add their own; Northern Virginia (NVTA localities: Arlington, Fairfax County, Fairfax City, Falls Church, Loudoun, Prince William, Alexandria, Manassas, Manassas Park)'s brings the total there to $2,466.
Virginia transfer tax by purchase price
| Purchase price | State tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $150,000 | $500 | $500 |
| $200,000 | $667 | $667 |
| $250,000 | $833 | $833 |
| $300,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| $350,000 | $1,167 | $1,167 |
| $400,000 | $1,333 | $1,333 |
| $450,000 | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| $500,000 | $1,667 | $1,667 |
| $600,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| $700,000 | $2,333 | $2,333 |
| $800,000 | $2,666 | $2,666 |
| $1,000,000 | $3,333 | $3,333 |
Transfer tax calculator
Who pays
In Virginia the transfer tax is customarily split between buyer and seller. The grantee (buyer) pays the state ($0.25/$100) plus local (up to 1/3 of the state amount, ~$0.0833/$100) recordation tax on the deed under Sections 58.1-801 and 58.1-814, combined about 0.3333%, modeled here. The grantor (seller) separately owes an additional state tax of $0.10/$100 (0.10%) under Section 58.1-802, not included in this rate_pct; see notes for the combined statewide total. Source
City and county transfer taxes in Virginia
These stack on the state tax. Open a jurisdiction for the combined figure at every price.
| Jurisdiction | Local rate | Total on a $462,400 home |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Virginia (NVTA localities: Arlington, Fairfax County, Fairfax City, Falls Church, Loudoun, Prince William, Alexandria, Manassas, Manassas Park) | 0.2% of the purchase price | $2,466 |
| Hampton Roads transportation district | 0.06% of the purchase price | $1,818 |
| Arlington County | $0.08 per $100 of price or fraction (0.083%) | $1,925 |
| Chesapeake city | $0.08 per $100 of price or fraction (0.083%) | $1,925 |
| Chesterfield County | $0.08 per $100 of price or fraction (0.083%) | $1,925 |
| Fairfax County | $0.08 per $100 of price or fraction (0.083%) | $1,925 |
| Henrico County | $0.08 per $100 of price or fraction (0.083%) | $1,925 |
| Loudoun County | $0.08 per $100 of price or fraction (0.083%) | $1,925 |
| Norfolk city | $0.08 per $100 of price or fraction (0.083%) | $1,925 |
| Prince William County | 0.2% of the purchase price | $2,466 |
| Richmond city | $0.08 per $100 of price or fraction (0.083%) | $1,925 |
| Virginia Beach | 0.06% of the purchase price | $1,818 |
Frequently asked questions
How much is the transfer tax in Virginia?
The state rate is 0.333% of the purchase price, which is $1,541 on a $462,400 home; Northern Virginia (NVTA localities: Arlington, Fairfax County, Fairfax City, Falls Church, Loudoun, Prince William, Alexandria, Manassas, Manassas Park), Hampton Roads transportation district and Arlington County add a local tax on top.
Who pays the transfer tax in Virginia?
In Virginia the transfer tax is customarily split between buyer and seller. The grantee (buyer) pays the state ($0.25/$100) plus local (up to 1/3 of the state amount, ~$0.0833/$100) recordation tax on the deed under Sections 58.1-801 and 58.1-814, combined about 0.3333%, modeled here. The grantor (seller) separately owes an additional state tax of $0.10/$100 (0.10%) under Section 58.1-802, not included in this rate_pct; see notes for the combined statewide total. Source
Is there a mortgage or recordation tax too?
Yes: Virginia also taxes the mortgage when it is recorded, 0.25% of the purchase price, paid by the borrower. Separate state recordation tax on the deed of trust (loan instrument), $0.25 per $100 of the amount secured (Va. Code Section 58.1-803), generally paid by the buyer/borrower when the purchase is financed. Applies to the LOAN amount, not the sale price.
Are there exemptions?
Va. Code Section 58.1-811 exempts transfers to/from government entities, transfers between spouses, corrective deeds, and other specific categories from the recordation taxes; there is no general statewide first-time-buyer credit.
Sources
- Va. Code Sections 58.1-801 (state recordation tax), 58.1-802 (grantor's additional tax), 58.1-814 (local recordation tax)
- Who pays
- Mortgage recording tax statute
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 Virginia buyer closing costs → Virginia 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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