District of Columbia transfer tax calculator

In Washington, D.C. the seller pays a deed transfer tax of 1.1% when the home sells for less than $400,000 and 1.45% of the whole price when it sells for $400,000 or more.

Sale price

State

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 proceedsDistrict of Columbia · Rates verified November 2026

Pay to the order ofYou, the seller$368,200

Three hundred sixty-eight thousand two hundred and 00/100 dollars

$400,000 sale, less $31,800 in costs and payoff

Itemised estimate
Sale price	$400,000
Agent commission	-$22,000
Transfer taxRate: 1.1% under $400,000, 1.45% at $400,000 or more. Usually paid by the seller.	-$5,800
Other closing costs	-$4,000
Mortgage payoff	$0
You keep	$368,200

How transfer tax works in District of Columbia

Rate: 1.1% under $400,000, 1.45% at $400,000 or more
Who usually pays: The seller pays the transfer tax. The buyer pays a separate recordation tax at the same rates.
Local taxes: None.
Official source: DC Office of the Chief Financial Officer
Last verified: November 2026

The rate is not marginal. A sale at $400,000 pays 1.45% on the full price, so there is a jump of $1,400 at that line.

District of Columbia transfer tax at common sale prices

Sale price	Total transfer tax	Seller's usual share	Seller keeps before mortgage payoff
$150,000	$1,650	$1,650	$138,600
$250,000	$2,750	$2,750	$231,000
$400,000	$5,800	$5,800	$368,200
$600,000	$8,700	$8,700	$552,300
$1,000,000	$14,500	$14,500	$920,500

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

Questions District of Columbia sellers ask

How much is transfer tax in District of Columbia?

District of Columbia charges 1.1% under $400,000, 1.45% at $400,000 or more. On a $400,000 sale the total comes to $5,800, and the seller's usual share is $5,800.

Who pays the transfer tax in District of Columbia, the buyer or the seller?

The seller pays the transfer tax. The buyer pays a separate recordation tax at the same rates.

Are there city or county transfer taxes in District of Columbia?

No. The rate is the same everywhere in District of Columbia.

How do I estimate my net proceeds in District of Columbia?

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 District of Columbia seller keeps about $368,200 before paying off the mortgage.

Buying in District of Columbia instead? See taxes when buying a house in District of Columbia.

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.