United States · Property Transfer Tax
Vermont's property transfer tax is banded and seller-paid: 0.5% on the first $100,000, 1.25% on the next $100,000, and 1.5% above $200,000. On a $500,000 home the seller's bill is about $6,750. First-time buyers get a meaningful break — the state exempts the first $200,000 of their purchase from the tax. The rate applies to the full price within each tier (flat tiers, not marginal slices), which keeps the math simple even as the bands step up.
Preset rates are indicative reference values only. Confirm current rates and any reliefs with your local tax authority.
Jurisdiction comparison at $500,000.00
Vermont pays $7,500.00 (1.5%) vs Vermont at $7,500.00 (1.5%).
Banded transfer tax: 0.5% to $100k, 1.25% to $200k, 1.5% above — paid by the seller. Bands below are the standard residential buyer schedule used by the calculator.
| Property value | Rate |
|---|---|
| USD 0.00 – USD 100,000.00 | Flat 0.5% of the full value |
| USD 100,000.00 – USD 200,000.00 | Flat 1.25% of the full value |
| USD 200,000.00+ | Flat 1.5% of the full value |
Indicative figures compiled August 2026 — official source: Vermont Department of Taxes. Rates are typically indexed or revised each financial year.
A USD 500,000.00 purchase in Vermont attracts about USD 7,500.00 in property transfer tax at the standard indicative rates — an effective rate of 1.5%. Recording fees run $50–150; attorney closings are common. That makes the all-in cash requirement USD 507,500.00 before you factor in any deposit, legal work, or moving costs. Adjust the price in the calculator to model your own number.
Banded transfer tax: 0.5% to $100k, 1.25% to $200k, 1.5% above — paid by the seller. Rates change with legislation and vary by buyer circumstances, so treat these as planning figures and confirm the current rate with Vermont Department of Taxes before you commit.
At the indicative rates above, a USD 500,000.00 property attracts about USD 7,500.00 in property transfer tax — an effective rate of 1.5%. Recording fees run $50–150; attorney closings are common.. The calculator above lets you change the price and see the result instantly.
Banded 0.5% / 1.25% / 1.5%, seller-paid. Eligibility rules change frequently and vary by buyer type, so verify your situation with Vermont Department of Taxes 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: property transfer tax rates change with legislation and vary by buyer circumstances. These are indicative planning figures, not tax advice — confirm every number with Vermont Department of Taxes or a qualified local professional.
