Lee County transfer tax
On a $400,000 home sale in Lee County, IA, transfer taxes come to $639 (0.16% of the price): Iowa real estate transfer tax (0.16% above a threshold), paid by the seller.
No county transfer tax here — only the statewide tax applies, collected when the deed is recorded with the county.
Lee County transfer tax calculator
- State
| Tax | Rate | Who pays | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa real estate transfer taxState | 0.16% above a threshold | Seller | $639.20 |
| Total transfer tax (0.16% of the price) | $639.20 | ||
"Who pays" is the customary or legal default; your purchase contract can move it.
Transfer tax in Lee County by home price
| Sale price | Total tax | Effective rate | Seller | Buyer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $399 | 0.16% | $399 | $0 |
| $400,000 | $639 | 0.16% | $639 | $0 |
| $600,000 | $959 | 0.16% | $959 | $0 |
| $800,000 | $1,279 | 0.16% | $1,279 | $0 |
| $1,000,000 | $1,599 | 0.16% | $1,599 | $0 |
| $1,500,000 | $2,399 | 0.16% | $2,399 | $0 |
| $2,500,000 | $3,999 | 0.16% | $3,999 | $0 |
| $5,000,000 | $7,999 | 0.16% | $7,999 | $0 |
Negotiable amounts are shown half to each side.
Selling in Lee County?
Transfer tax is usually the second-biggest closing cost after the agent's commission. Comparing agents' fees often saves more than any exemption.
Exemptions in Iowa
- Deeds between spouses or parent and child without actual consideration
- Deeds between former spouses under a divorce decree
- Consideration of $500 or less
- Mortgages and deeds securing a debt
- Deeds confirming or correcting a previous deed
- Transfers from the U.S. or Iowa government
- Deeds in lieu of foreclosure and tax deeds
- Distributions to heirs, devisees or trust beneficiaries without consideration
Local exemptions can differ; see Iowa transfer tax.
Other counties in Iowa
- Adair County0.16%
- Adams County0.16%
- Allamakee County0.16%
- Appanoose County0.16%
- Audubon County0.16%
- Benton County0.16%
- Black Hawk County0.16%
- Boone County0.16%
- Bremer County0.16%
- Buchanan County0.16%
- Buena Vista County0.16%
- Butler County0.16%
- Calhoun County0.16%
- Carroll County0.16%
- Cass County0.16%
- Cedar County0.16%
- Cerro Gordo County0.16%
- Cherokee County0.16%
- Chickasaw County0.16%
- Clarke County0.16%
- Clay County0.16%
- Clayton County0.16%
- Clinton County0.16%
- Crawford County0.16%
- Dallas County0.16%
- Davis County0.16%
- Decatur County0.16%
- Delaware County0.16%
- Des Moines County0.16%
- Dickinson County0.16%
- Dubuque County0.16%
- Emmet County0.16%
- Fayette County0.16%
- Floyd County0.16%
- Franklin County0.16%
- Fremont County0.16%
- Greene County0.16%
- Grundy County0.16%
- Guthrie County0.16%
- Hamilton County0.16%
- Hancock County0.16%
- Hardin County0.16%
- Harrison County0.16%
- Henry County0.16%
- Howard County0.16%
- Humboldt County0.16%
- Ida County0.16%
- Iowa County0.16%
- Jackson County0.16%
- Jasper County0.16%
- Jefferson County0.16%
- Johnson County0.16%
- Jones County0.16%
- Keokuk County0.16%
- Kossuth County0.16%
- Linn County0.16%
- Louisa County0.16%
- Lucas County0.16%
- Lyon County0.16%
- Madison County0.16%
Questions
What is the transfer tax rate in Lee County?
0.16% of the price on a $400,000 sale: Iowa real estate transfer tax (0.16% above a threshold).
Who pays transfer tax in Lee County?
Iowa real estate transfer tax: Seller — The grantor is liable under Iowa Code 428A.3.. The purchase contract can assign it differently.
How much is transfer tax on a $500,000 house in Lee County?
$799 in total (seller $799, buyer $0).
How is the Iowa transfer tax calculated?
$0.80 for each $500 (or fraction) of price above $500. A $250,000 sale owes 499 × $0.80 = $399.20.
Who pays transfer tax in Iowa?
The seller (grantor) is liable under Iowa Code 428A.3, and the seller usually pays it at closing.
Sources
Last checked October 13, 2026. Rates in effect for residential sales; commercial, leasehold and entity transfers can differ. Always confirm with your title company or closing attorney before closing.