Maryland transfer tax calculator

Maryland charges a state transfer tax of 0.5% of the sale price. Each county adds a recordation tax, and most add a transfer tax of their own of up to 1.5%. State law splits all three evenly between buyer and seller unless the contract says otherwise.

Sale price

State

County

Mortgage payoff (what you still owe)

Agent commission

Other closing costs

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

Estimated net proceedsMaryland · Rates verified November 2026

Pay to the order ofYou, the seller$369,220

Three hundred sixty-nine thousand two hundred twenty and 00/100 dollars

$400,000 sale, less $30,780 in costs and payoff

Itemised estimate
Sale price	$400,000
Agent commission	-$22,000
Transfer taxRate: 0.5% state, 1% county, recordation from $4.45 per $500. Usually paid by buyer and seller.	-$4,780
Other closing costs	-$4,000
Mortgage payoff	$0
You keep	$369,220

How transfer tax works in Maryland

Rate: 0.5% state, plus county transfer and recordation taxes
Who usually pays: Buyer and seller split the transfer and recordation taxes evenly by default. When the buyer is a first-time Maryland homebuyer, the state rate drops to 0.25% and the seller normally pays all three taxes.
Local taxes: Yes. County transfer tax ranges from nothing in Frederick County to 1.5% in Baltimore County and Baltimore City, and every county has its own recordation tax rate.
Official source: Maryland Department of Legislative Services, county tax rates
Last verified: November 2026

County recordation tax is charged per $500 of the price. The fiscal 2026 rates are in the calculator: $2.50 in Baltimore County and Howard, $2.75 in Prince George's, $3.50 in Anne Arundel, $5.00 in Baltimore City and $7.00 in Frederick. Montgomery charges $4.45 and more on the part of the price above $500,000.
Baltimore City also charges a yield tax on sales above $1 million, which is not in the calculator.

Maryland transfer tax at common sale prices

Sale price	Total transfer tax	Seller's usual share	Seller keeps before mortgage payoff
$150,000	$3,585	$1,792.50	$138,458
$250,000	$5,975	$2,987.50	$230,763
$400,000	$9,560	$4,780	$369,220
$600,000	$14,800	$7,400	$553,600
$1,000,000	$29,250	$14,625	$920,375

Assumes a 5.5% agent commission and 1% in other closing costs, at the "Montgomery County" rate. Change any figure in the calculator above.

Local rates in Maryland

County	Total tax on a $400,000 sale	Seller's usual share
Montgomery County	$9,560	$4,780
Prince George's County	$9,800	$4,900
Baltimore County	$10,000	$5,000
Baltimore City	$12,000	$6,000
Anne Arundel County	$8,800	$4,400
Howard County	$9,000	$4,500
Frederick County	$7,600	$3,800

Questions Maryland sellers ask

How much is transfer tax in Maryland?

Maryland charges 0.5% state, plus county transfer and recordation taxes. On a $400,000 sale the total comes to $9,560, and the seller's usual share is $4,780.

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

Buyer and seller split the transfer and recordation taxes evenly by default. When the buyer is a first-time Maryland homebuyer, the state rate drops to 0.25% and the seller normally pays all three taxes.

Are there local transfer taxes in Maryland?

Yes. County transfer tax ranges from nothing in Frederick County to 1.5% in Baltimore County and Baltimore City, and every county has its own recordation tax rate.

How do I estimate my net proceeds in Maryland?

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 Maryland seller keeps about $369,220 before paying off the mortgage.

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

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.