How much is the real estate transfer tax in North Carolina?

North Carolina's excise tax, often called revenue stamps, is $1 for every $500 of the sale price, which works out to 0.2%. On a $300,000 home that is $600. The tax is computed in $500 increments, so the price is rounded up to the next $500.

Who pays the transfer tax in North Carolina?

By custom and statute, the seller (grantor) pays the excise tax in North Carolina, and it is collected at closing when the deed is recorded. The amount can be negotiated in the purchase contract, but the default is that the seller bears it.

What is the North Carolina land transfer tax?

Seven counties — Currituck, Dare, Camden, Chowan, Pasquotank, Perquimans, and Washington — are authorized to levy an additional local land transfer tax of up to 1% of the sale price. Most North Carolina counties do not charge this, so it applies only in those areas.

Are any transfers exempt from North Carolina excise tax?

Yes. Transfers such as gifts with no consideration, transfers between spouses, deeds of correction, foreclosure deeds in some cases, and transfers to or from government entities can be exempt. Always confirm exemptions with the county register of deeds.

How is the excise tax rounded in North Carolina?

The tax is figured per $500 or fraction thereof, so any amount is rounded up to the next $500 before applying the $1 rate. A $300,250 price rounds to $300,500, giving 601 increments and $601 of excise tax.

North Carolina Real Estate Transfer Tax Calculator

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When a home changes hands in North Carolina, the state collects an excise tax — the revenue stamps affixed to the deed at closing. It is modest at 0.2 percent, but a handful of coastal counties can add a steeper local land transfer tax. This calculator estimates the total stamps due on your sale.

How it works

The state excise tax is 1 dollar for every 500 dollars of consideration, computed in whole 500-dollar increments (any fraction rounds up to the next 500):

increments = ceil(sale price / 500)
state excise tax = increments * $1

That is effectively 0.2 percent. In Currituck, Dare, Camden, Chowan, Pasquotank, Perquimans, or Washington counties, an additional land transfer tax of up to 1 percent of the price may apply, which the tool adds when you enter the local rate.

Example

A 300,000 dollar home outside the seven special counties produces 600 increments of 500 dollars, so the state excise tax is 600 dollars. In Dare County with a 1 percent land transfer tax, you would add 3,000 dollars, for 3,600 dollars total.

Notes

The excise tax is normally paid by the seller at closing. Many transfers are exempt, including gifts and transfers between spouses. Local land transfer taxes exist only in the seven authorized counties. Confirm the rate and any exemption with the county register of deeds and ncdor.gov.