Transfer tax in Montgomery County, Maryland: local rates and cost

In short

Montgomery County charges 2 local taxes on a home sale: County transfer tax, County recordation tax. On the median owner-occupied home ($660,800), local taxes come to $13,648; with the Maryland state tax of $3,304, the total is $16,952, or 2.57% of the price.

Median value: $660,800 median value of owner-occupied homes, Montgomery County, Maryland (Census ACS 2024 1-year, table B25077). It is an owner estimate, not a sale price.

What you pay at different prices

Before exemptions and credits (first-time buyers, transfers between relatives…), which are listed below when the source gives them. The tax due on your deed is the one the recorder computes.

The rates, tax by tax

County transfer tax

Typically 1% of the selling price. DLS lists the Montgomery rate as "Varies" because rates differ by property type (residential, nonresidential, agricultural).

In force: MC311 page last updated 05/19/2026. Source: Rates for the County Transfer Tax Fee - MC311, Montgomery County Department of Finance.

County recordation tax

Marginal: base $2.08 + school increment $2.37 = $4.45 per $500 on all amounts; plus a premium on the part above $500,000: $2.30/$500 ($500,000-$600,000), $5.75/$500 ($600,000.01-$750,000), $6.33/$500 ($750,000.01-$1,000,000), $6.90/$500 (over $1,000,000). Combined marginal rates: $4.45, $6.75, $10.20, $10.78, $11.35 per $500.

Exemptions: First $100,000 of consideration exempt for a principal residence (principal residence affidavit), per the county worked examples.

In force: Since October 1, 2023 (Bill 17-23); unchanged in DLS FY 2027 table ("Varies"). Source: Bill 17-23 Recordation Tax Changes effective October 1, 2023 - Montgomery County Department of Finance.

Questions

How much local transfer tax do you pay on a median home in Montgomery County?

$13,648 on $660,800, the median value of owner-occupied homes (Census ACS). Payotte computes it from the rates published by the official sources cited on the page.

Is the local tax on top of the Maryland tax?

Yes. The local taxes listed here are added to the Maryland state transfer tax.