United States · Documentary Transfer Tax
California's state-level transfer tax is a light $1.10 per $1,000 — just 0.11% — but local governments stack their own taxes on top. San Francisco adds roughly 0.5–0.75% depending on price and location, and Los Angeles adds a graduated transfer tax that reaches 4.5% above $5 million. A $800,000 home in most of the state pays about $880 of state tax; in San Francisco the same home carries roughly $4,800–6,800 in combined transfer taxes.
Preset rates are indicative reference values only. Confirm current rates and any reliefs with your local tax authority.
Jurisdiction comparison at $800,000.00
California pays $880.00 (0.11%) vs California at $880.00 (0.11%).
State documentary transfer tax of $1.10 per $1,000 (0.11%) plus county and city transfer taxes where adopted (SF adds ~0.5–0.75%). Bands below are the standard residential buyer schedule used by the calculator.
| Property value | Rate |
|---|---|
| All values | Flat 0.11% of the full value |
Indicative figures compiled August 2026 — official source: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Rates are typically indexed or revised each financial year.
A USD 800,000.00 purchase in California attracts about USD 880.00 in documentary transfer tax at the standard indicative rates — an effective rate of 0.11%. Recording fees are modest ($50–150); title insurance and escrow dominate the rest of closing. That makes the all-in cash requirement USD 800,880.00 before you factor in any deposit, legal work, or moving costs. Adjust the price in the calculator to model your own number.
State documentary transfer tax of $1.10 per $1,000 (0.11%) plus county and city transfer taxes where adopted (SF adds ~0.5–0.75%). Rates change with legislation and vary by buyer circumstances, so treat these as planning figures and confirm the current rate with California Department of Tax and Fee Administration before you commit.
At the indicative rates above, a USD 800,000.00 property attracts about USD 880.00 in documentary transfer tax — an effective rate of 0.11%. Recording fees are modest ($50–150); title insurance and escrow dominate the rest of closing.. The calculator above lets you change the price and see the result instantly.
There is no general first-time buyer exemption in California at the standard indicative rates. State rate 0.11% applies to the full price. Check current eligibility rules with California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
The buyer pays the tax in essentially every case in this market. It is payable in full before or at settlement and cannot normally be added to a mortgage, so it must be part of your cash budget alongside the deposit.
How we calculate: the calculator applies the official band schedule marginally — each rate applies only to the slice of the price inside its band, exactly as the revenue authority does. Worked examples are computed with the same function.
Last reviewed: . Learn more about Nirmal Lashkari and LashkariProperties.
Disclaimer: documentary transfer tax rates change with legislation and vary by buyer circumstances. These are indicative planning figures, not tax advice — confirm every number with California Department of Tax and Fee Administration or a qualified local professional.
