Understanding Real Estate Transfer Taxes on the Seacoast
What you need to know in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts—and who picks up the tab
1. Maine’s New Graduated Rate (Effective November 1, 2025)
Beginning November 1, 2025, Maine adopts a graduated real estate transfer tax for sales over $1 million, under LD 1082:
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Up to $1 million: $2.20 per $500 of consideration (0.44%)
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Over $1 million: $6.00 per $500 of consideration (1.20%)
This tax is split equally—½ on the grantor (seller) and ½ on the grantee (buyer).
The Maine Association of REALTORS® has been coordinating with the Maine Revenue Service and local Registries of Deeds to ensure that, come November 3rd (the first business day of the month), all deeds recorded reflect the new rate.
2. New Hampshire’s Flat‐Rate Transfer Tax
In the Granite State, the transfer tax is straightforward and long‐standing:
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$0.75 per $100 of sale price (0.75%), for a combined rate of 1.5% when you include the identical $0.75 per $100 that’s stamped on the other party’s side of the transaction
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Minimum tax: $40 on transactions under $4,000.
Who pays? By custom—and unless negotiated otherwise in your Purchase & Sale Agreement—buyer and seller split the tax evenly, paying $0.75 per $100 of the price each.
3. Massachusetts’ Deeds Excise Tax
Massachusetts levies a deeds excise tax at a single flat rate across the Commonwealth:
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$2.28 per $500 of consideration (0.456%) Massachusetts Registry of Deeds.
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No excise due if the consideration is under $100.
Who pays? Traditionally, the seller (grantor) covers the excise stamps when the deed is recorded, although parties can shift responsibility by mutual agreement in the purchase contract.
4. At‐a‐Glance Comparison
| State | Rate | Minimum | Who Pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | $2.20/ $500 up to $1 M (0.44%) $6.00/ $500 over $1 M (1.20%) | — | Split 50/50 grantor/grantee |
| New Hampshire | $0.75/ $100 (0.75%) per party (1.5% total) | $40 if <$4,000 | Split equally by custom |
| Massachusetts | $2.28/ $500 (0.456%) | None (<$100 sale) | Seller by default |
5. Why This Matters to You
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Budgeting Closing Costs: Knowing up front who pays—and how much—helps you avoid surprises at the closing table.
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Negotiation Leverage: In competitive markets, offering to cover transfer taxes (or splitting them differently) can make your offer more attractive.
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Planning for Luxury Sales: In Maine, the graduated rate means that properties over $1 million incur a significantly higher stamp duty—an extra cost your buyer or seller will want to understand.
Ready to Learn More?
If you’re buying or selling on the Seacoast and have questions about how these transfer taxes affect your bottom line, let’s chat! Reach out for a free consultation, and I’ll walk you through every fee—no surprises, just smooth closings.
—
Stephen Oates - Associate Broker
steve@soates.com
Realtor® | Seacoast-Homes.com
Licensed in NH, ME & MA
Dedication that moves you.™
