Virginia Transfer Tax Calculator: What to Expect
This simple calculator can help home sellers in Virginia estimate their transfer taxes. To get a ballpark idea of the transfer fees you might pay in the [location nickname], enter your home’s estimated selling price above.
Need a selling price? Try HomeLight’s free Home Value Estimator to see what your house might be worth. To receive a more accurate listing price, contact a top Virginia real estate agent and request a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), a report that will compare your home against nearby listed and recently sold properties.
See a full cost and proceeds breakdown
A top real estate agent can provide you with a Seller’s Net Sheet that breaks down all the costs of selling your home, along with an estimate of the proceeds you can expect. Use HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform to find a trusted local agent with excellent reviews and a proven track record.
How the Virginia Transfer Tax is Calculated
Virginia’s transfer tax, known as a Recordation Tax, is calculated at a rate of $0.25 per $100 or fraction thereof of the consideration or the actual value of the property conveyed, whichever is greater.
For example, if you sold your home for $458,000 (Virginia’s median home price), you could expect to pay $1,145 in Virginia transfer taxes.
Another Transfer Tax Virginia Sellers Typically Pay
Many counties and local governments also charge home sellers a real estate transfer tax. County and city rates in Virginia may also vary depending on the location. Any city or county may impose a recordation tax equal to 1/3 of the state recordation tax.
The state of Virginia also charges the seller a separate transfer tax. This is called a grantor tax.
»Learn more: Understanding Virginia’s Transfer Tax: A Quick Guide
See the bigger home sale picture: To see what your entire home sale might cost, try HomeLight’s Virginia Seller Closing Cost Calculator. You’ll also get a preliminary look at your estimated net proceeds
Does the Seller Always Pay the Virginia Transfer Tax?
In Virginia, the buyer typically pays the state’s transfer taxes, although the fees will fall to the sellers. However, this can be negotiated. There are three types of transfer taxes in Virginia, along with two recordation taxes (also known as mortgage tax stamps).
The buyer typically pays the state and county deed transfer taxes, while the seller pays the Virginia Grantor tax.
Some Virginia home sales may be exempt, such as:
- Educational, religious, and non-profit organizations, such as colleges and churches, use the property for their respective purposes.
- Governmental transfers, including those to the United States, the Commonwealth of Virginia, or any local government entity.
- Specific corporate transactions like mergers, consolidations, or reorganizations that qualify under federal tax laws.
- Transfers involving healthcare nonstock corporations operating non-profit hospitals.
Make Buying and Selling Easier: Most Virginia sellers are also buyers looking to purchase a new home. With HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell program, you can make a non-contingent offer on your new home and only move once. Watch this short video to learn more.
More Resources to Plan Your Virginia Home Sale
Here are some additional tools to help you plan your Virginia home sale:
- Net Proceeds Calculator
- Map of recently sold homes in Virginia
- Listing Agent Match platform
- Home Value Estimator
- Best Time to Sell Calculator
- Agent Commission Calculator
Sell fast without paying fees or commissions: Get a cash offer today.
With HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform, you can receive a no-obligation, all-cash offer for your Virginia home in 24 hours. If you accept the offer, you can close in as few as 10 days. Answer a few questions about your Virginia home to get started. Along with your cash offer, you’ll also receive an expert estimate of what a top Virginia agent might be able to get for your home. Receive both selling options with one tool.
As you look ahead to your next home purchase, here are some helpful buyer tools: