District of Columbia Real Estate Transfer Tax Calculator
Built from the statute and cross-checked against what the revenue department currently applies.
Verified September 21, 2026 · statute and revenue department cross-checked
Advertisement
Who pays
Recordation tax is customarily the buyer, transfer tax the seller.
What to know about District of Columbia
Washington DC charges two separate taxes at the same rate, so the combined bill is 2.2 percent below $400,000 and 2.9 percent at or above it. Note that the higher rate applies to the entire price, not just the part above $400,000, so crossing that line costs about $2,800 on a $400,000 sale. The former 5 percent commercial surcharge has expired.
Advertisement
Sources
Statute: D.C. Code § 42-1103 and § 47-903
DC Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Tax Rates “Deed Recordation Tax ... 1.1 % of consideration or fair market value for residential property transfers less than $400,000 and 1.45% ... on the entire amount, if transfer is greater than $400,000. Deed Transfer Tax ... 1.1 % ... and 1.45%”
D.C. Code § 47-903 “a tax at the rate of 1.1% of the consideration paid for the transfer ... except for residential properties transferred for a consideration less than $400,000, an additional tax of .35% is imposed”
Last verified: September 21, 2026.
Advertisement
Estimates only. Your closing agent or the county recorder issues the final figure, and exemptions can change what you owe. This page does not collect or store anything you enter.