US Home Sales Tax

Delaware transfer tax calculator

Delaware has the highest statewide transfer tax in the country: 4% of the sale price, made up of 2.5% for the state and 1.5% for the county or city. Buyer and seller normally pay 2% each.

$
$
%
%

Other closing costs cover title, escrow or attorney fees and recording. One percent is a common planning figure.

Estimated net proceedsDelaware ยท Rates verified November 2026
Pay to the order ofYou, the seller$366,000

Three hundred sixty-six thousand and 00/100 dollars

$400,000 sale, less $34,000 in costs and payoff

Itemised estimate
Sale price$400,000
Agent commission-$22,000
Transfer taxRate: 4% total (2.5% state plus 1.5% local). Usually paid by buyer and seller.-$8,000
Other closing costs-$4,000
Mortgage payoff$0
You keep$366,000

How transfer tax works in Delaware

Rate
4% total (2.5% state plus 1.5% local)
Who usually pays
Buyer and seller split it, 2% each. State law divides the tax equally unless the contract says otherwise.
Local taxes
None.
Official source
Delaware Code Title 30, Chapter 54
Last verified

Delaware transfer tax at common sale prices

Sale priceTotal transfer taxSeller's usual shareSeller keeps before mortgage payoff
$150,000$6,000$3,000$137,250
$250,000$10,000$5,000$228,750
$400,000$16,000$8,000$366,000
$600,000$24,000$12,000$549,000
$1,000,000$40,000$20,000$915,000

Assumes a 5.5% agent commission and 1% in other closing costs. Change any figure in the calculator above.

Questions Delaware sellers ask

How much is transfer tax in Delaware?

Delaware charges 4% total (2.5% state plus 1.5% local). On a $400,000 sale the total comes to $16,000, and the seller's usual share is $8,000.

Who pays the transfer tax in Delaware, the buyer or the seller?

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

Are there city or county transfer taxes in Delaware?

No. The rate is the same everywhere in Delaware.

How do I estimate my net proceeds in Delaware?

Start with the sale price, then subtract the agent commission, your share of the transfer tax, title and closing fees, and the balance left on your mortgage. On a $400,000 sale with a 5.5% commission and 1% in other costs, a Delaware seller keeps about $366,000 before paying off the mortgage.

Buying in Delaware instead? See taxes when buying a house in Delaware.

More on the basics: What closing costs does a seller pay?, Who pays the transfer tax, the buyer or the seller?, How to calculate net proceeds from a home sale.

Other states