Wilkes-Barre transfer tax
On a $400,000 home sale in Wilkes-Barre, PA, transfer taxes come to $14,000 (3.5% of the price): Pennsylvania realty transfer tax (1%), City of Wilkes-Barre realty transfer tax (2%) and Wilkes-Barre Area School District realty transfer tax (0.5%), split between buyer and seller as shown below.
Local total 2.5%; with the 1% state tax 3.5%.
Wilkes-Barre transfer tax calculator
- State
- Municipal
- School district
| Tax | Rate | Who pays | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania realty transfer taxState | 1% | Split 50/50 | $4,000.00 |
| City of Wilkes-Barre realty transfer taxMunicipal | 2% | Split 50/50 | $8,000.00 |
| Wilkes-Barre Area School District realty transfer taxSchool district | 0.5% | Split 50/50 | $2,000.00 |
| Total transfer tax (3.5% of the price) | $14,000.00 | ||
"Who pays" is the customary or legal default; your purchase contract can move it.
Transfer tax in Wilkes-Barre by home price
| Sale price | Total tax | Effective rate | Seller | Buyer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $8,750 | 3.5% | $4,375 | $4,375 |
| $400,000 | $14,000 | 3.5% | $7,000 | $7,000 |
| $600,000 | $21,000 | 3.5% | $10,500 | $10,500 |
| $800,000 | $28,000 | 3.5% | $14,000 | $14,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $35,000 | 3.5% | $17,500 | $17,500 |
| $1,500,000 | $52,500 | 3.5% | $26,250 | $26,250 |
| $2,500,000 | $87,500 | 3.5% | $43,750 | $43,750 |
| $5,000,000 | $175,000 | 3.5% | $87,500 | $87,500 |
Negotiable amounts are shown half to each side.
Selling in Wilkes-Barre?
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 Luzerne County
- Ashley2%
- Avoca2%
- Bear Creek2%
- Bear Creek Village2%
- Black Creek2%
- Buck2%
- Butler (Luzerne County)2%
- Conyngham2%
- Conyngham (Luzerne County)2%
- Courtdale2%
- Dallas2%
- Dallas2%
- Dennison2%
- Dorrance2%
- Dupont2%
- Duryea2%
- Edwardsville2%
- Exeter2%
- Exeter (Luzerne County)2%
- Fairmount2%
- Fairview (Luzerne County)2%
- Forty Fort2%
- Foster (Luzerne County)2%
- Franklin (Luzerne County)2%
- Freeland2%
- Hanover (Luzerne County)2%
- Harveys Lake2%
- Hazle2%
- Hazleton2.5%
- Hollenback2%
- Hughestown2%
- Hunlock2%
- Huntington (Luzerne County)2%
- Jackson (Luzerne County)2%
- Jeddo2%
- Jenkins2%
- Kingston2.5%
- Kingston2%
- Laflin2%
- Lake (Luzerne County)2%
Questions
What is the transfer tax rate in Wilkes-Barre?
3.5% of the price on a $400,000 sale: Pennsylvania realty transfer tax (1%); City of Wilkes-Barre realty transfer tax (2%); Wilkes-Barre Area School District realty transfer tax (0.5%).
Who pays transfer tax in Wilkes-Barre?
Pennsylvania realty transfer tax: Split 50/50 — Customarily split 50/50; the contract decides.. City of Wilkes-Barre realty transfer tax: Split 50/50 — Customarily split between buyer and seller; the sales agreement decides.. Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre?
$17,500 in total (seller $8,750, buyer $8,750).
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.