Overview
The Commonwealth of Virginia levies a tax on the recordation of deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, leases and contracts for the sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or vestment of lands, tenements or realty.
The amount of the State tax on every deed, contract or other legal instrument is determined and collected by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the locality where the instrument is first offered for recordation.
Deeds Generally
State Tax Rate
The tax rate is $0.25 per $100 (or portion of $100) of the purchase price or fair market value of the property conveyed, whichever is greater. The tax is paid by the purchaser or his/her designee.
City Tax Rate
The City levies an additional tax of 1/3 of the State's recordation tax or $0.083 per $100. The tax is paid by the purchaser or his/her designee.
Additional Tax on Grantor
Virginia levies a tax on the grantor at the rate of $0.50 per $500 (or portion of $500) of the purchase price or fair market value of the property, excluding any liens or encumbrances. In the Northern Virginia region, the Commonwealth levies an additional grantor's tax of $0.10 per $100 (or portion of $100) of the purchase price or fair market value of the property, excluding any liens or encumbrances.
Deeds of Trust or Mortgages
State Tax Rate
Virginia levies a recordation tax on bonds or other obligations secured by the deeds of trust or mortgages at a rate of $0.25 per $100 (or portion of $100).
City Tax Rate
The City levies an additional tax of 1/3 of the State's recordation tax or $0.083 per $100.
Payment of Tax
No deed or other legal instrument is recorded without payment of the tax. The recordation tax is collected by the Clerk of the Court.
The Circuit Court of Virginia offers an online calculator for estimating recording taxes.
For information, contact:
Clerk of the Circuit Court
Land and Records Division
520 King Street, Suite 307
Alexandria, VA 22314
703.746.4044