United States · Conveyance Tax
Rhode Island's conveyance tax is $2 per $500 (0.4%) of the price, normally paid by the seller, with no bands and no first-time buyer exemption at the state level. On a $400,000 Providence or Newport home the tax is $1,600. The tax was increased in recent years to fund housing programs, so the 0.4% is current as of the August 2026 review. Rhode Island's property tax runs above the national average, which makes the total annual holding cost the number to compare, not just the transfer tax.
Preset rates are indicative reference values only. Confirm current rates and any reliefs with your local tax authority.
Jurisdiction comparison at $400,000.00
Rhode Island pays $1,600.00 (0.4%) vs Rhode Island at $1,600.00 (0.4%).
Conveyance tax of $2 per $500 (0.4%), paid by the seller in most towns. Bands below are the standard residential buyer schedule used by the calculator.
| Property value | Rate |
|---|---|
| All values | Flat 0.4% of the full value |
Indicative figures compiled August 2026 — official source: Rhode Island Division of Taxation. Rates are typically indexed or revised each financial year.
A USD 400,000.00 purchase in Rhode Island attracts about USD 1,600.00 in conveyance tax at the standard indicative rates — an effective rate of 0.4%. Recording fees run $50–150; attorney closings are common. That makes the all-in cash requirement USD 401,600.00 before you factor in any deposit, legal work, or moving costs. Adjust the price in the calculator to model your own number.
Conveyance tax of $2 per $500 (0.4%), paid by the seller in most towns. Rates change with legislation and vary by buyer circumstances, so treat these as planning figures and confirm the current rate with Rhode Island Division of Taxation before you commit.
At the indicative rates above, a USD 400,000.00 property attracts about USD 1,600.00 in conveyance tax — an effective rate of 0.4%. Recording fees run $50–150; attorney closings are common.. The calculator above lets you change the price and see the result instantly.
There is no general first-time buyer exemption in Rhode Island at the standard indicative rates. Flat 0.4%, seller-paid by convention. Check current eligibility rules with Rhode Island Division of Taxation.
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: conveyance tax rates change with legislation and vary by buyer circumstances. These are indicative planning figures, not tax advice — confirm every number with Rhode Island Division of Taxation or a qualified local professional.
