Vermont transfer tax
Official source data 2026-10-01
On a $400,000 residential purchase in Vermont
$3,940
modeled deed & transfer taxes
Principal residence: 0.5% on first $200,000, then 1.25% plus 0.22% surcharge. A second home without a required landlord certificate uses 3.4% plus 0.22%; qualifying rentals use 1.25% plus 0.22%. Housing-agency exemptions are excluded.
Check the tax on your price.
Where the tax goes.
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base deed / transfer taxes | $3,940 |
| Selected local deed taxes | $0 |
| Buyer statutory surcharges | $0 |
| Seller statutory surcharges | $0 |
| Total modeled transfer taxes | $3,940 |
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.
Vermont rules and assumptions.
Transfer-tax scope
Principal residence: 0.5% on first $200,000, then 1.25% plus 0.22% surcharge. A second home without a required landlord certificate uses 3.4% plus 0.22%; qualifying rentals use 1.25% plus 0.22%. Housing-agency exemptions 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.
Vermont publishes title-agent licensing requirements. A title-agent license is not a determination that an attorney must attend every closing. Confirm the provider's permitted services and obtain policy, endorsement and legal/settlement quotes.
Recording fees
Vermont's municipal-clerk fee law includes per-page recording and a separate property-transfer-return charge. Budget for each required instrument/return and do not repeat the modeled transfer tax.
Good questions. Clear answers.
How much are closing costs in Vermont?
For the entered $400,000 price, this scenario produces $13,390 of buyer costs and $20,500 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 $93,390 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 $379,500. Capital-gains tax, repair credits and other liens are excluded.
Check the source.
Data as of 2026-10-01. Retrieved .
- legislature.vermont.gov / 09602
- legislature.vermont.gov / 09602a
- www.consumerfinance.gov / closing-disclosure As of 2026-10-02
- www.consumerfinance.gov / loan-estimate As of 2026-10-02
- dfr.vermont.gov / title-agent As of 2026-10-02
- legislature.vermont.gov / 017 As of 2026-10-02