What this calculator does
Georgia has two closing taxes: a small transfer tax on the price and an intangible recording tax on long-term mortgages. Georgia's transfer tax is only $1 per $1,000 of price (0.1%), usually paid by the seller. Buyers with a mortgage pay the intangible recording tax of $1.50 per $500 of the loan (0.3%, capped at $25,000). This calculator totals both for an Atlanta purchase.
How to use it
- Enter the sale price.
- Enter the mortgage amount, or 0 for cash.
The formula
Transfer tax = (price ÷ $1,000, rounded up) × $1.00. Intangible tax = (loan ÷ $500, rounded up) × $1.50, up to $25,000.
Worked example
Using the default inputs shown in the calculator above:
| Tax | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transfer tax — $1.00 per $1,000 of price | $450 |
| Intangible recording tax — $1.50 per $500 of loan (max $25,000) | $1,080 |
| Total | $1,530 |
Georgia transfer + intangible taxes: $1,530. Transfer tax $450 (usually seller) · intangible tax $1,080 (buyer, on the loan).
Georgia's transfer tax is small — 0.1% of the price — so the intangible tax on the mortgage (0.3% of the loan) is usually the larger of the two for a financed purchase. A larger down payment lowers the intangible tax.
Closing taxes in Atlanta
Both taxes are paid to the Clerk of Superior Court when the deed and security deed are recorded. Compared with NYC, Chicago or DC, Georgia's closing taxes are low, so lender and title fees make up most of Atlanta closing costs.
Georgia closing taxes at common Atlanta prices
For a financed purchase, the intangible recording tax on the loan is usually larger than the transfer tax on the price. The table assumes a 20% down payment, so the loan is 80% of the price.
| Price | Loan (80%) | Transfer tax | Intangible tax | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | $240,000 | $300 | $720 | $1,020 |
| $400,000 | $320,000 | $400 | $960 | $1,360 |
| $500,000 | $400,000 | $500 | $1,200 | $1,700 |
| $750,000 | $600,000 | $750 | $1,800 | $2,550 |
| $1,000,000 | $800,000 | $1,000 | $2,400 | $3,400 |
A cash buyer avoids the intangible tax entirely. On a $500,000 cash purchase, the only state tax in this calculator is the $500 transfer tax, compared with $1,700 with an 80% loan.
The intangible tax is capped at $25,000, which only matters for loans of roughly $8.3 million or more. For most Atlanta buyers the simpler rule of thumb is 0.3% of the loan amount.
Common mistakes and tips
- Forgetting the intangible tax on the buyer's loan.
- Rounding down instead of up.
- Assuming city taxes apply — Atlanta has no separate transfer tax.
- Not budgeting prepaid property taxes, which are often larger.
Frequently asked questions
How much is transfer tax in Georgia?
$1 per $1,000 of price (0.1%).
What is Georgia's intangible recording tax?
$1.50 per $500 of a long-term mortgage (0.3%), capped at $25,000.
Who pays in Atlanta?
Customarily the seller pays the transfer tax and the buyer pays the intangible tax.
Is there a city transfer tax in Atlanta?
No.
Sources
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only and is not financial, tax, legal, real estate, or insurance advice. Consult a licensed professional before making decisions.