San Francisco Transfer Tax

Transfer tax is a transaction fee imposed on the transfer of land or real property from one person (or entity) to another.

The transfer tax rate is variable, depending on the consideration paid (purchase price) OR the fair market value, as shown in the chart below.

Transfer taxes are also imposed on leaseholds with a term of 35 years or more, and transfers involving legal entities that own real property in San Francisco. The authority to collect transfer taxes and list of documentary transfer tax exemptions are codified in Article 12C of the San Francisco Business and Tax Regulations Code.

Please use our transfer tax calculator to estimate your transfer tax.

Transfer Tax Calculator

Exemptions will only be made if the recording party claims a valid documentary transfer tax exemption (see transfer tax affidavit for valid exemptions and to calculate transfer taxes). If a transfer tax exemption is claimed, written documentation proving the exemption must be submitted at the time of recording, otherwise transfer taxes are due. Written documentation includes, but is not limited to, copies of trust or formation documents of legal entities (i.e. LLC operating agreement, Corporate By Laws/Minutes/Register, partnership agreement, etc.)

A Transfer Tax Affidavit must accompany all documents submitted for recordation in which transfer tax is due, or an exemption is claimed.

Do These Common Types of Transfers Cause a Transfer Tax?

1. Between a married couple? No
2. Between domestic partners? No
3. Gifts? No
4. Inheritance? No
5. Add or remove co-signor or co-owner solely for refinancing purposes (no consideration)? No
6. Between parent(s) and child(ren) for consideration? Yes
7. Individual(s) to/from his/her own trust? No
8. Individual(s) to his/her own Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership or Corporation? No