US Home Sales Tax

Taxes when buying a house in Delaware

A Delaware buyer pays half of the 4% transfer tax, which is 2% of the purchase price. First-time buyers get a reduction of up to $2,000.

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Loan amount: $320,000. Some states tax the mortgage, so the loan size changes the result there. Paying cash? Enter 100.

Estimated taxes when you buyDelaware ยท Rates verified November 2026
Pay to the order ofState and county tax offices$8,000

Eight thousand and 00/100 dollars

On a $400,000 purchase with a $320,000 loan

Taxes the buyer pays
Transfer tax, buyer's share4% total (2.5% state plus 1.5% local)$8,000
Total buyer taxes$8,000

Taxes only. Lender fees, title insurance, flat recording fees and prepaid property tax are separate closing costs.

What a Delaware home buyer is taxed on

Buyer's taxes
Transfer tax: 4% total (2.5% state plus 1.5% local). Buyer and seller split it, 2% each. State law divides the tax equally unless the contract says otherwise.
Transfer tax
Buyer and seller split it, 2% each. State law divides the tax equally unless the contract says otherwise.
Sales tax
None. A home is real estate, and sales tax does not apply to it.
Official source
Delaware Code Title 30, Chapter 54
Last verified

Delaware buyer taxes at common prices

Purchase priceLoan with 20% downBuyer's taxes
$150,000$120,000$3,000
$250,000$200,000$5,000
$400,000$320,000$8,000
$600,000$480,000$12,000
$1,000,000$800,000$20,000

Questions Delaware buyers ask

Do buyers pay transfer tax in Delaware?

Buyer and seller split it, 2% each. State law divides the tax equally unless the contract says otherwise.

Is there a mortgage tax in Delaware?

No. Delaware does not tax the recording of a mortgage. The county charges only a flat fee to record it.

Is there sales tax when you buy a house in Delaware?

No. Sales tax applies to goods and some services, and a house is real estate, which no state taxes that way. The one-time taxes a Delaware buyer does pay are listed on this page.

How much tax does a buyer pay at closing in Delaware?

On a $400,000 home bought with 20% down, a Delaware buyer pays about $8,000 in state and local taxes: $8,000 in transfer tax, buyer's share. Lender fees, title insurance and prepaid property tax come on top.

Selling in Delaware? Use the Delaware transfer tax calculator.

Buyer taxes in other states