United States · Transfer Tax
Maryland stacks two transfer taxes: the state charges 0.5% and every county adds its own transfer tax, typically another 1.5%, for a combined ~2% on the full price. On a $400,000 home that is roughly $8,000, and recordation tax adds a further ~0.5% on the loan amount in many counties. First-time buyers in Maryland have a meaningful break — most counties exempt or reduce the county transfer tax for them — which makes this one of the few states where buyer status changes the bill substantially.
Preset rates are indicative reference values only. Confirm current rates and any reliefs with your local tax authority.
Jurisdiction comparison at $400,000.00
Maryland pays $2,000.00 (0.5%) vs Maryland at $2,000.00 (0.5%).
State transfer tax of 0.5% plus a county transfer tax of up to 1.5% — roughly 2% in most counties, plus recordation tax. Bands below are the standard residential buyer schedule used by the calculator.
| Property value | Rate |
|---|---|
| All values | Flat 0.5% of the full value |
Indicative figures compiled August 2026 — official source: Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation. Rates are typically indexed or revised each financial year.
A USD 400,000.00 purchase in Maryland attracts about USD 2,000.00 in transfer tax at the standard indicative rates — an effective rate of 0.5%. Recording fees run $50–200; title insurance is standard. That makes the all-in cash requirement USD 402,000.00 before you factor in any deposit, legal work, or moving costs. Adjust the price in the calculator to model your own number.
State transfer tax of 0.5% plus a county transfer tax of up to 1.5% — roughly 2% in most counties, plus recordation tax. Rates change with legislation and vary by buyer circumstances, so treat these as planning figures and confirm the current rate with Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation before you commit.
At the indicative rates above, a USD 400,000.00 property attracts about USD 2,000.00 in transfer tax — an effective rate of 0.5%. Recording fees run $50–200; title insurance is standard.. The calculator above lets you change the price and see the result instantly.
State 0.5% + county ~1.5% = ~2% combined. Eligibility rules change frequently and vary by buyer type, so verify your situation with Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation or a conveyancer.
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: transfer tax rates change with legislation and vary by buyer circumstances. These are indicative planning figures, not tax advice — confirm every number with Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation or a qualified local professional.
