District of Columbia transfer tax
Official source data 2026-10-01
On a $400,000 residential purchase in District of Columbia
$11,600
modeled deed & transfer taxes
Residential transfer tax and buyer recordation tax are both included. Reduced first-time-buyer rates are excluded.
Check the tax on your price.
Where the tax goes.
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base deed / transfer taxes | $11,600 |
| Selected local deed taxes | $0 |
| Buyer statutory surcharges | $0 |
| Seller statutory surcharges | $0 |
| Total modeled transfer taxes | $11,600 |
The buyer and seller can negotiate many expenses. This calculation excludes lender credits, seller concessions, prorated rent, HOA charges, inspections, repairs, and any mortgage taxes not in the stated deed-tax scope.
District of Columbia rules and assumptions.
Transfer-tax scope
Residential transfer tax and buyer recordation tax are both included. Reduced first-time-buyer rates are excluded.
Settlement & title
Ask the settlement provider which services it is licensed to perform and which require an attorney. This editable allowance does not determine whether an attorney is required for your transaction.
DISB explains owner and lender title coverage and the settlement process. Confirm the provider's license, the policies needed for your purchase and loan, and the itemized premium and settlement quote.
Recording fees
DC OTR publishes recording requirements and fees. Confirm the document fee and current surcharges with the Recorder of Deeds; DC recordation and transfer taxes already shown above are separate.
Good questions. Clear answers.
How much are closing costs in District of Columbia?
For the entered $400,000 price, this scenario produces $15,250 of buyer costs and $26,300 of seller costs. The fees are adjustable allowances; only the cited taxes follow the selected statutory scope.
Who pays the transfer tax?
The default allocation follows the state scenario shown above. The closing-cost tool lets you change the contractual deed-tax allocation; statutory buyer or seller surcharges retain their separate payer.
Is the down payment a closing cost?
It is not a service fee. This tool shows $80,000 as the down payment and $95,250 as total estimated buyer cash to close.
Are the title and attorney fees official state rates?
The defaults are planning allowances, not published title-policy quotes. Enter the applicable insurance or title-guaranty quote and the closing professional’s quote. Policy type, endorsements, loan size and reissue discounts can change the cost. Set the title payer to match your contract; use the additional buyer amount for coverage excluded from the percentage allowance.
How do I calculate seller net proceeds?
Subtract seller closing costs and the entered mortgage payoff from the sale price. Here that gives $373,700. Capital-gains tax, repair credits and other liens are excluded.
Check the source.
Data as of 2026-10-01. Retrieved .
- otr.cfo.dc.gov / rod-faqs
- www.consumerfinance.gov / closing-disclosure As of 2026-10-02
- www.consumerfinance.gov / loan-estimate As of 2026-10-02
- disb.dc.gov / title-insurance-and-settlement-process As of 2026-10-02
- otr.cfo.dc.gov / duties-recorder-deeds-respect-general-recording-requirements As of 2026-10-02