California transfer tax
On a $400,000 home sale in California, PA, transfer taxes come to $8,000 (2% of the price): Pennsylvania realty transfer tax (1%), California Borough realty transfer tax (0.5%) and California Area School District realty transfer tax (0.5%), split between buyer and seller as shown below.
Local total 1%; with the 1% state tax 2%.
California transfer tax calculator
- State
- Municipal
- School district
| Tax | Rate | Who pays | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania realty transfer taxState | 1% | Split 50/50 | $4,000.00 |
| California Borough realty transfer taxMunicipal | 0.5% | Split 50/50 | $2,000.00 |
| California Area School District realty transfer taxSchool district | 0.5% | Split 50/50 | $2,000.00 |
| Total transfer tax (2% of the price) | $8,000.00 | ||
"Who pays" is the customary or legal default; your purchase contract can move it.
Transfer tax in California by home price
| Sale price | Total tax | Effective rate | Seller | Buyer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $5,000 | 2% | $2,500 | $2,500 |
| $400,000 | $8,000 | 2% | $4,000 | $4,000 |
| $600,000 | $12,000 | 2% | $6,000 | $6,000 |
| $800,000 | $16,000 | 2% | $8,000 | $8,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $20,000 | 2% | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| $1,500,000 | $30,000 | 2% | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| $2,500,000 | $50,000 | 2% | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| $5,000,000 | $100,000 | 2% | $50,000 | $50,000 |
Negotiable amounts are shown half to each side.
Selling in California?
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 Pennsylvania
- Transfers between spouses
- Transfers between parent and child (or child's spouse), siblings, or grandparent and grandchild
- Transfers to a living trust
- Transfers by will or intestacy
- Transfers to the U.S., the Commonwealth or its instrumentalities
- Correction deeds and transfers for no or nominal consideration to confirm title
Local exemptions can differ; see Pennsylvania transfer tax.
Elsewhere in Washington County
- Allenport2%
- Amwell2%
- Beallsville2%
- Bentleyville2%
- Blaine2%
- Buffalo (Washington County)2%
- Burgettstown2%
- Canonsburg 2%
- Canton (Washington County)2%
- Carroll (Washington County)2%
- Cecil2%
- Centerville (Washington County)2%
- Charleroi2%
- Chartiers2%
- Claysville2%
- Coal Center2%
- Cokeburg2%
- Cross Creek2%
- Deemston2%
- Donegal (Washington County)2%
- Donora2%
- Dunlevy2%
- East Bethlehem2%
- East Finley2%
- East Washington2%
- Elco2%
- Ellsworth2%
- Fallowfield2%
- Finleyville2%
- Green Hills2%
- Hanover (Washington County)2%
- Hopewell (Washington County)2%
- Houston2%
- Independence (Washington County)2%
- Jefferson (Washington County)2%
- Long Branch2%
- Marianna2%
- McDonald (Washington County)2%
- Midway2%
- Monongahela2%
Questions
What is the transfer tax rate in California?
2% of the price on a $400,000 sale: Pennsylvania realty transfer tax (1%); California Borough realty transfer tax (0.5%); California Area School District realty transfer tax (0.5%).
Who pays transfer tax in California?
Pennsylvania realty transfer tax: Split 50/50 — Customarily split 50/50; the contract decides.. California Borough realty transfer tax: Split 50/50 — Customarily split between buyer and seller; the sales agreement decides.. California Area School District realty transfer tax: Split 50/50 — Customarily split between buyer and seller; the sales agreement decides.. The purchase contract can assign it differently.
How much is transfer tax on a $500,000 house in California?
$10,000 in total (seller $5,000, buyer $5,000).
Who pays transfer tax in Pennsylvania?
By custom buyer and seller split it 50/50, but the agreement of sale decides.
What is the total transfer tax in Philadelphia?
4.578%: 3.578% city plus 1% state.
Sources
- PA DCED Municipal Statistics – Municipal Tax Database (2026 reporting year, Realty Transfer)
- DCED 2026 municipal tax export (Excel)
- Pennsylvania Department of Revenue – Realty Transfer Tax
- Pennsylvania Department of Revenue – Tax Rates
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.