United States · Recordation Tax
Virginia's transfer costs come from the recordation tax: $0.25 per $100 (0.25%) on the deed, plus the seller's grantor's tax of $0.10 per $100 (0.1%). Northern Virginia counties and cities add their own recordation tax — Fairfax, Loudoun and Arlington all layer roughly 0.25–0.33% more. On a $500,000 home, the state-side taxes are about $1,750, and Northern Virginia buyers should budget closer to $3,500 once local taxes are included.
Preset rates are indicative reference values only. Confirm current rates and any reliefs with your local tax authority.
Jurisdiction comparison at $500,000.00
Virginia pays $1,250.00 (0.25%) vs Virginia at $1,250.00 (0.25%).
State recordation tax of $0.25 per $100 (0.25%) plus a grantor's tax of $0.10 per $100 (0.1%) paid by the seller; local recordation taxes add more in many counties. Bands below are the standard residential buyer schedule used by the calculator.
| Property value | Rate |
|---|---|
| All values | Flat 0.25% of the full value |
Indicative figures compiled August 2026 — official source: Virginia Department of Taxation. Rates are typically indexed or revised each financial year.
A USD 500,000.00 purchase in Virginia attracts about USD 1,250.00 in recordation tax at the standard indicative rates — an effective rate of 0.25%. Recording fees run $50–100 per document; title insurance and attorney fees are the other main costs. That makes the all-in cash requirement USD 501,250.00 before you factor in any deposit, legal work, or moving costs. Adjust the price in the calculator to model your own number.
State recordation tax of $0.25 per $100 (0.25%) plus a grantor's tax of $0.10 per $100 (0.1%) paid by the seller; local recordation taxes add more in many counties. Rates change with legislation and vary by buyer circumstances, so treat these as planning figures and confirm the current rate with Virginia Department of Taxation before you commit.
At the indicative rates above, a USD 500,000.00 property attracts about USD 1,250.00 in recordation tax — an effective rate of 0.25%. Recording fees run $50–100 per document; title insurance and attorney fees are the other main costs.. The calculator above lets you change the price and see the result instantly.
State recordation 0.25% + seller grantor's tax 0.1%. Eligibility rules change frequently and vary by buyer type, so verify your situation with Virginia Department of 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.
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Disclaimer: recordation tax rates change with legislation and vary by buyer circumstances. These are indicative planning figures, not tax advice — confirm every number with Virginia Department of Taxation or a qualified local professional.
