What is Ohio's real estate transfer tax?

Ohio calls it the real property conveyance fee. The state mandates $1 per $1,000 of value (0.1%), and counties may add a permissive fee of up to $3 per $1,000, for a maximum combined $4 per $1,000 in most counties.

Who pays the conveyance fee in Ohio?

By custom the seller pays the conveyance fee at closing, though it is negotiable in the purchase contract. The fee is collected by the county recorder when the deed is recorded to transfer ownership.

How much is the conveyance fee on a typical home?

On a $300,000 home in a county with the full $3 permissive rate, the combined $4 per $1,000 produces a $1,200 conveyance fee. The state portion alone would be $300, with the county adding the remaining $900.

Are any transfers exempt in Ohio?

Yes. Ohio exempts certain transfers from the conveyance fee, such as gifts between spouses, transfers to government, and some estate or trust transfers. Exempt transfers still file a statement but owe no fee.

Does Ohio charge a separate state and local transfer tax?

The conveyance fee combines a fixed state component and an optional county component into one charge at recording. There is no additional separate municipal transfer tax layered on top of the county permissive fee.

Ohio Real Estate Transfer Tax Calculator

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Selling property in Ohio triggers the real property conveyance fee, paid when the deed is recorded. It combines a fixed state rate with an optional county fee. This calculator estimates the total based on your sale price and county rate.

How it works

The fee is charged per 1,000 dollars of sale price:

state fee  = price / 1000 x $1     (mandatory, 0.1%)
county fee = price / 1000 x $0–$3  (permissive, varies by county)
total      = state fee + county fee

Most counties levy the full 3 dollar permissive fee, giving a combined 4 dollars per 1,000 — a 0.4 percent effective rate — though the actual county portion varies.

Example

A 300,000 dollar home in a county with the full 3 dollar permissive rate is taxed at 4 dollars per 1,000. That is 300 dollars to the state and 900 dollars to the county, for a 1,200 dollar conveyance fee, customarily paid by the seller at closing.

Notes

County permissive rates differ and some transfers are exempt, such as spousal gifts and government transfers. This estimates the conveyance fee only, not other closing costs like title insurance or recording charges. Confirm your county’s current rate with the county auditor or recorder before closing.