Fairfax County transfer tax
On a $400,000 home sale in Fairfax County, VA, transfer taxes come to $2,533 (0.633% of the price): Virginia state recordation tax (deed) ($0.25 per $100), Virginia grantor tax ($0.50 per $500), Fairfax County recordation tax ($0.0833 per $100), Northern Virginia regional WMATA capital fee ($0.10 per $100) and Northern Virginia regional congestion relief fee ($0.10 per $100), split between buyer and seller as shown below.
Northern Virginia: sellers pay two regional fees on top of the state grantor tax (total $0.20 per $100).
Fairfax County transfer tax calculator
- State
- County
- Special
| Tax | Rate | Who pays | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia state recordation tax (deed)State | $0.25 per $100 | Buyer | $1,000.00 |
| Virginia grantor taxState | $0.50 per $500 | Seller | $400.00 |
| Fairfax County recordation taxCounty | $0.0833 per $100 | Buyer | $333.33 |
| Northern Virginia regional WMATA capital feeSpecial | $0.10 per $100 | Seller | $400.00 |
| Northern Virginia regional congestion relief feeSpecial | $0.10 per $100 | Seller | $400.00 |
| Total transfer tax (0.633% of the price) | $2,533.33 | ||
"Who pays" is the customary or legal default; your purchase contract can move it.
Transfer tax in Fairfax County by home price
| Sale price | Total tax | Effective rate | Seller | Buyer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $1,583 | 0.633% | $750 | $833 |
| $400,000 | $2,533 | 0.633% | $1,200 | $1,333 |
| $600,000 | $3,800 | 0.633% | $1,800 | $2,000 |
| $800,000 | $5,067 | 0.633% | $2,400 | $2,667 |
| $1,000,000 | $6,333 | 0.633% | $3,000 | $3,333 |
| $1,500,000 | $9,500 | 0.633% | $4,500 | $5,000 |
| $2,500,000 | $15,833 | 0.633% | $7,500 | $8,333 |
| $5,000,000 | $31,667 | 0.633% | $15,000 | $16,667 |
Negotiable amounts are shown half to each side.
Selling in Fairfax 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 Virginia
- Deeds of gift and transfers without consideration between family members
- Transfers between spouses or ex-spouses under divorce
- Deeds to or from the Commonwealth, localities or the US (grantor tax)
- Deeds of partition among co-owners
- Deeds of correction or confirmation without consideration
- Deeds to a trust/entity where beneficial ownership does not change
Local exemptions can differ; see Virginia transfer tax.
Other counties in Virginia
- Accomack County0.433%
- Albemarle County0.433%
- Alleghany County0.433%
- Amelia County0.433%
- Amherst County0.433%
- Appomattox County0.433%
- Arlington County0.633%
- Augusta County0.433%
- Bath County0.433%
- Bedford County0.433%
- Bland County0.433%
- Botetourt County0.433%
- Brunswick County0.433%
- Buchanan County0.433%
- Buckingham County0.433%
- Campbell County0.433%
- Caroline County0.433%
- Carroll County0.433%
- Charles City County0.433%
- Charlotte County0.433%
- Chesterfield County0.433%
- Clarke County0.433%
- Craig County0.433%
- Culpeper County0.433%
- Cumberland County0.433%
- Dickenson County0.433%
- Dinwiddie County0.433%
- Essex County0.433%
- Fauquier County0.433%
- Floyd County0.433%
- Fluvanna County0.433%
- Franklin County0.433%
- Frederick County0.433%
- Giles County0.433%
- Gloucester County0.433%
- Goochland County0.433%
- Grayson County0.433%
- Greene County0.433%
- Greensville County0.433%
- Halifax County0.433%
- Hanover County0.433%
- Henrico County0.433%
- Henry County0.433%
- Highland County0.433%
- Isle of Wight County0.433%
- James City County0.433%
- King and Queen County0.433%
- King George County0.433%
- King William County0.433%
- Lancaster County0.433%
- Lee County0.433%
- Loudoun County0.633%
- Louisa County0.433%
- Lunenburg County0.433%
- Madison County0.433%
- Mathews County0.433%
- Mecklenburg County0.433%
- Middlesex County0.433%
- Montgomery County0.433%
- Nelson County0.433%
Questions
What is the transfer tax rate in Fairfax County?
0.633% of the price on a $400,000 sale: Virginia state recordation tax (deed) ($0.25 per $100); Virginia grantor tax ($0.50 per $500); Fairfax County recordation tax ($0.0833 per $100); Northern Virginia regional WMATA capital fee ($0.10 per $100); Northern Virginia regional congestion relief fee ($0.10 per $100).
Who pays transfer tax in Fairfax County?
Virginia state recordation tax (deed): Buyer — Customarily paid by the buyer (grantee).. Virginia grantor tax: Seller — Paid by the grantor by statute; parties may agree the grantee pays.. Fairfax County recordation tax: Buyer — Customarily paid by the buyer (grantee), with the state recordation tax.. Northern Virginia regional WMATA capital fee: Seller — Paid by the grantor by statute; the parties may agree the buyer pays.. Northern Virginia regional congestion relief fee: Seller — Paid by the grantor by statute; the parties may agree the buyer pays.. The purchase contract can assign it differently.
How much is transfer tax on a $500,000 house in Fairfax County?
$3,167 in total (seller $1,500, buyer $1,667).
Who pays transfer taxes in Virginia?
By custom the buyer pays the state and local recordation taxes, and the seller pays the grantor tax and any Northern Virginia regional fees.
How much are Virginia deed taxes on a $400,000 home?
State recordation $1,000 (buyer), local recordation about $333 (buyer, most localities), grantor tax $400 (seller) — plus regional fees in Northern Virginia.
Sources
- Va. Code § 58.1-814 — City or county recordation tax (one-third of state tax)
- Va. Code § 58.1-801 — State recordation tax $0.25 per $100
- Va. Code § 58.1-3800 et seq. — Local recordation taxes (collected by the circuit court clerk)
- Auditor of Public Accounts — Comparative Report FY2025, Exhibit B2 (recordation and will taxes by locality)
- Va. Code § 58.1-802.3 — Regional WMATA capital fee ($0.10 per $100, NVTA members)
- Va. Code § 58.1-802.4 — Regional congestion relief fee ($0.10 per $100, Planning District 8)
- Fairfax Circuit Court — Land records recordation taxes and fees
- Prince William Circuit Court — Land records fees
- Va. Code § 58.1-801 — State recordation tax on deeds
- Va. Code § 58.1-802 — Grantor 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.