Recordation and Transfer Tax Rates in Maryland Explained

In connection with recording documents among the land records of Baltimore City and Maryland’s 23 counties (collectively, the “jurisdictions”), certain taxes are generally due before documents are accepted. For example, deeds are typically subject to three separate taxes, except in Baltimore City—where deeds for sales over $1,000,000 are subject to a fourth tax (the Yield Tax).

Taxes at a Glance

1. Recordation Tax (Md. Code, Tax-Property Article, Title 12). State law establishes the tax; each jurisdiction sets its rate. Unless exempt, it applies to every “instrument of writing” (e.g., deeds, contracts, leases, certain assignments, and security instruments such as mortgages and deeds of trust). Officially stated as $X per $500 (or part thereof), the chart below shows these as approximate percentages for readability.²
2. State Transfer Tax (Md. Code, Tax-Property Article, Title 13). Imposed by the State at 0.5% of consideration on deeds and most instruments that trigger recordation tax (but not on security instruments). For a first-time Maryland homebuyer purchasing a principal residence, the rate is 0.25% and must be paid by the seller.⁴
3. Local Transfer Tax (if applicable). Most jurisdictions impose a local transfer tax on deeds and other instruments of writing (not on security instruments), except Prince George’s County, which also imposes it on security instruments.^3,16
4. Baltimore City Yield Tax. For transactions over $1,000,000, a surcharge equals 15% of the recordation tax collected and 40% of the Baltimore City transfer tax collected. If a base tax is exempt, the Yield Tax does not apply to the exempted amount. The Baltimore City line below includes Yield Tax in the stated percentages for qualifying transactions.

Payment of these taxes can be allocated by the parties (except the State transfer tax in a first-time homebuyer transaction, which must be paid by the seller, and similar local rules where adopted). Numerous exemptions in Titles 12 and 13 and in local codes may reduce or eliminate taxes in specific situations. Transfers under a confirmed Chapter 11 plan are exempt from State transfer taxes under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

Recordation & Transfer Taxes by Jurisdiction (as of Oct 1, 2025)

Montgomery County Recordation Tax (Bill 17-23)

Effective October 1, 2023. Tiered rates apply to portions of consideration/debt as shown below. (First $100,000 of consideration on owner-occupied residential conveyances is exempt.)

*Owner-occupied residential conveyances: first $100,000 of consideration is exempt if the buyer is an individual intending to occupy the property as a principal residence for at least 7 of the 12 months immediately after conveyance.

Notes & Footnotes

1. As of Oct 1, 2025. Rates may change; confirm with the applicable circuit court clerk. Additional recording fees may apply. Exemptions appear in Md. Code, Tax-Property Art. §§ 12-108 and 13-207 and local codes.
2. Recordation Tax. Officially stated per $500 (or part); chart converts to % for readability. If the base is not divisible by $500, round up to the next $500 before applying the rate. For mortgages/deeds of trust, use this column except in Prince George’s County, where the local transfer tax also applies to security instruments. Reduce for exemptions.
3. Local Transfer Tax. For a first-time Maryland homebuyer purchasing a principal residence, rate may be 0.25% in some jurisdictions and may be paid by the seller if local law mirrors State treatment.
4. State Transfer Tax. 0.5% (0.25% for first-time Maryland homebuyer principal residence purchases, paid entirely by the seller).
5. Total for Deeds. Sum of applicable recordation + local + State transfer taxes (plus Baltimore City Yield Tax for qualifying transactions). Reduce for exemptions.
6. Allegany: first $50,000 of consideration for owner-occupied residential property exempt (buyer affidavit of occupancy).
7. Baltimore City recordation: Yield Tax for transactions > $1M; first $22,000 exempt for owner-occupied residential property if buyer will occupy as principal residence 7 of 12 months after conveyance.
8. Baltimore City transfer: Yield Tax for transactions > $1M; first $22,000 exempt if total consideration < $250,000 and buyer occupies as principal residence 7 of 12 months.
9. Baltimore County: first $22,000 of price of residential owner-occupied property exempt.
10. Caroline: first $25,000 exempt for owner-occupied residential; first $75,000 exempt if first-time Maryland homebuyer (buyer affidavit of occupancy).
11. Cecil: 0.25% for first-time Maryland homebuyer principal residence.
12. Dorchester: first $30,000 exempt with owner-occupancy affidavit.
13. Garrett: local transfer tax not applicable to first $50,000 of consideration.
14. Montgomery: see tiered recordation schedule table above.
15. Montgomery local transfer: generally 1%; special lower tiers for improved residential property under $70,000; special rules for farmland, rezoned land, condo/coop conversions.
16. Prince George’s: local transfer tax also applies to mortgages/deeds of trust.
17. Queen Anne’s: 0.25% for first-time Maryland homebuyer principal residence.
18. St. Mary’s: local transfer tax not applicable to first $30,000 of consideration on owner-occupied principal residence (7 of 12 months occupancy).
19. Talbot: first $50,000 exempt for owner-occupied residence.
20. Washington: first $50,000 exempt for owner-occupied residence.
21. Worcester: first $50,000 exempt if principal residence and occupied ≥ 7 months/year.