Tisbury transfer tax
On a $400,000 home sale in Tisbury, MA, transfer taxes come to $9,824 (2.456% of the price): Massachusetts deeds excise tax ($2.28 per $500) and Martha's Vineyard Land Bank transfer fee (2%), split between buyer and seller as shown below.
We couldn't fully confirm this rate from an official source. Treat it as an estimate and check with the local tax office.
Martha's Vineyard town: buyers pay the 2% Land Bank fee; the seller pays the state deeds excise.
Tisbury transfer tax calculator
- State
- Special
| Tax | Rate | Who pays | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts deeds excise taxState | $2.28 per $500 | Seller | $1,824.00 |
| Martha's Vineyard Land Bank transfer feeSpecial | 2% | Buyer | $8,000.00 |
| Total transfer tax (2.456% of the price) | $9,824.00 | ||
"Who pays" is the customary or legal default; your purchase contract can move it.
Transfer tax in Tisbury by home price
| Sale price | Total tax | Effective rate | Seller | Buyer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $6,140 | 2.456% | $1,140 | $5,000 |
| $400,000 | $9,824 | 2.456% | $1,824 | $8,000 |
| $600,000 | $14,736 | 2.456% | $2,736 | $12,000 |
| $800,000 | $19,648 | 2.456% | $3,648 | $16,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $24,560 | 2.456% | $4,560 | $20,000 |
| $1,500,000 | $36,840 | 2.456% | $6,840 | $30,000 |
| $2,500,000 | $61,400 | 2.456% | $11,400 | $50,000 |
| $5,000,000 | $122,800 | 2.456% | $22,800 | $100,000 |
Negotiable amounts are shown half to each side.
Selling in Tisbury?
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 Massachusetts
- Deeds with consideration under $100 (e.g. gifts)
- Transfers to or from the United States, the Commonwealth or its agencies
- Mortgages and deeds given only to secure a debt
- Deeds confirming or correcting a prior deed without added consideration
- Transfers into a revocable trust for no consideration
Local exemptions can differ; see Massachusetts transfer tax.
Elsewhere in Dukes County
Questions
What is the transfer tax rate in Tisbury?
2.456% of the price on a $400,000 sale: Massachusetts deeds excise tax ($2.28 per $500); Martha's Vineyard Land Bank transfer fee (2%).
Who pays transfer tax in Tisbury?
Massachusetts deeds excise tax: Seller — The seller (grantor) pays by law and custom.. Martha's Vineyard Land Bank transfer fee: Buyer — The purchaser pays by law.. The purchase contract can assign it differently.
How much is transfer tax on a $500,000 house in Tisbury?
$12,280 in total (seller $2,280, buyer $10,000).
Who pays the deeds excise in Massachusetts?
The seller. The excise is collected when the deed is recorded at the registry of deeds.
How is the Massachusetts deed stamp calculated?
$2.28 for each $500 of price or fraction of $500, so the price is rounded up to the next $500 first. A $600,000 sale owes $2,736 outside Barnstable County.
Sources
- Martha's Vineyard Land Bank — Form LB2 (2026) exemptions, Acts 1985 c.736 § 12
- Martha's Vineyard Land Bank — Frequently asked questions
- M.G.L. c.64D §1 (deeds excise)
- Mass. DOR – Learn about the deeds excise tax
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.