Tower City transfer tax
On a $400,000 home sale in Tower City, PA, transfer taxes come to $6,800 (1.7% of the price): Pennsylvania realty transfer tax (1%), Tower City Borough realty transfer tax (0.2%) and Williams Valley School District realty transfer tax (0.5%), split between buyer and seller as shown below.
Local total 0.7%; with the 1% state tax 1.7%.
Tower City transfer tax calculator
- State
- Municipal
- School district
| Tax | Rate | Who pays | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania realty transfer taxState | 1% | Split 50/50 | $4,000.00 |
| Tower City Borough realty transfer taxMunicipal | 0.2% | Split 50/50 | $800.00 |
| Williams Valley School District realty transfer taxSchool district | 0.5% | Split 50/50 | $2,000.00 |
| Total transfer tax (1.7% of the price) | $6,800.00 | ||
"Who pays" is the customary or legal default; your purchase contract can move it.
Transfer tax in Tower City by home price
| Sale price | Total tax | Effective rate | Seller | Buyer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $4,250 | 1.7% | $2,125 | $2,125 |
| $400,000 | $6,800 | 1.7% | $3,400 | $3,400 |
| $600,000 | $10,200 | 1.7% | $5,100 | $5,100 |
| $800,000 | $13,600 | 1.7% | $6,800 | $6,800 |
| $1,000,000 | $17,000 | 1.7% | $8,500 | $8,500 |
| $1,500,000 | $25,500 | 1.7% | $12,750 | $12,750 |
| $2,500,000 | $42,500 | 1.7% | $21,250 | $21,250 |
| $5,000,000 | $85,000 | 1.7% | $42,500 | $42,500 |
Negotiable amounts are shown half to each side.
Selling in Tower City?
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 Schuylkill County
- Ashland2%
- Auburn2%
- Barry2%
- Blythe2%
- Branch2%
- Butler (Schuylkill County)2%
- Cass (Schuylkill County)2%
- Coaldale (Schuylkill County)2%
- Cressona2%
- Deer Lake2%
- Delano2%
- East Brunswick2%
- East Norwegian2%
- East Union2%
- Eldred (Schuylkill County)2%
- Foster (Schuylkill County)2%
- Frackville2%
- Frailey2%
- Gilberton2%
- Girardville2%
- Gordon2%
- Hegins2%
- Hubley2%
- Kline2%
- Landingville2%
- Mahanoy2%
- Mahanoy City2%
- McAdoo2%
- Mechanicsville2%
- Middleport2%
- Minersville2%
- Mount Carbon2%
- New Castle2%
- New Philadelphia2%
- New Ringgold2%
- North Manheim2%
- North Union (Schuylkill County)2%
- Norwegian2%
- Orwigsburg2%
- Palo Alto2%
Questions
What is the transfer tax rate in Tower City?
1.7% of the price on a $400,000 sale: Pennsylvania realty transfer tax (1%); Tower City Borough realty transfer tax (0.2%); Williams Valley School District realty transfer tax (0.5%).
Who pays transfer tax in Tower City?
Pennsylvania realty transfer tax: Split 50/50 — Customarily split 50/50; the contract decides.. Tower City Borough realty transfer tax: Split 50/50 — Customarily split between buyer and seller; the sales agreement decides.. Williams Valley 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 Tower City?
$8,500 in total (seller $4,250, buyer $4,250).
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.