US Home Sales Tax

Pennsylvania transfer tax calculator

Pennsylvania charges a 1% state realty transfer tax, and nearly every municipality and school district together add another 1%. Buyer and seller usually pay half each. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh charge much more.

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

Estimated net proceedsPennsylvania ยท Rates verified November 2026
Pay to the order ofYou, the seller$370,000

Three hundred seventy thousand and 00/100 dollars

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

Itemised estimate
Sale price$400,000
Agent commission-$22,000
Transfer taxRate: 2% in most places (1% state plus 1% local). Usually paid by buyer and seller.-$4,000
Other closing costs-$4,000
Mortgage payoff$0
You keep$370,000

How transfer tax works in Pennsylvania

Rate
2% in most places (1% state plus 1% local)
Who usually pays
Buyer and seller usually split it evenly, 1% each in most of the state. Both are legally liable for the full amount.
Local taxes
Philadelphia charges 3.578% on top of the state's 1%, for 4.578%. Pittsburgh totals 5%: 3% city, 1% school district and 1% state.
Official source
Pennsylvania Department of Revenue
Last verified

Pennsylvania transfer tax at common sale prices

Sale priceTotal transfer taxSeller's usual shareSeller keeps before mortgage payoff
$150,000$3,000$1,500$138,750
$250,000$5,000$2,500$231,250
$400,000$8,000$4,000$370,000
$600,000$12,000$6,000$555,000
$1,000,000$20,000$10,000$925,000

Assumes a 5.5% agent commission and 1% in other closing costs, at the "Most of Pennsylvania (2% total)" rate. Change any figure in the calculator above.

Local rates in Pennsylvania

LocationTotal tax on a $400,000 saleSeller's usual share
Most of Pennsylvania (2% total)$8,000$4,000
Philadelphia (4.578% total)$18,312$9,156
Pittsburgh (5% total)$20,000$10,000

Questions Pennsylvania sellers ask

How much is transfer tax in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania charges 2% in most places (1% state plus 1% local). On a $400,000 sale the total comes to $8,000, and the seller's usual share is $4,000.

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

Buyer and seller usually split it evenly, 1% each in most of the state. Both are legally liable for the full amount.

Are there local transfer taxes in Pennsylvania?

Philadelphia charges 3.578% on top of the state's 1%, for 4.578%. Pittsburgh totals 5%: 3% city, 1% school district and 1% state.

How do I estimate my net proceeds in Pennsylvania?

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 Pennsylvania seller keeps about $370,000 before paying off the mortgage.

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

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.

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