Real estate transfer tax

[1] In the USA, total transfer taxes can range between very small (for example, .01% in Colorado) to relatively large (4% in the city of Pittsburgh).

[2][3] Some U.S. states have a variety of transfer tax laws which may include specific exemptions for certain types of buyers based on buying status or income level.

For example, Maryland exempts certain "first time buyers" from a percentage of the total [4] or excludes a portion of the property's sales price from taxation altogether.

[5] Another variation which exists is either the legal requirement to split the taxes between the parties or the local custom to do so.

While many states levy a real estate transfer tax when a property title changes hands, several do not :[6]