Does Boston have a transfer tax?
No, not today. Here is what Boston has proposed and what it would mean.
No. As of October 2026, Boston does not charge its own transfer tax. A Boston seller pays only the state deed excise, $4.56 per $1,000 of the price. Boston has asked for permission to add a fee on high-end sales, but it is not law.
What Boston has proposed
In 2026, Boston filed a home rule petition, bill H.5464. It would let the city charge a fee of up to 2% on the part of a sale price above $2 million. The seller would pay it.
A city cannot add a tax like this on its own. The Legislature has to pass it and the Governor has to sign it. As of October 2026, that has not happened.
What it would mean if it passed
The fee would only touch the amount over $2 million. On a $2.5 million sale, the most it could be is 2% of $500,000, or $10,000. A sale at or below $2 million would owe nothing extra.
That is only an example of the proposal as written. Bills can change before they pass, or never pass at all.
What we do with it today
It is not a cost of sale today. We do not include it in our cost-to-sell numbers or calculator. We will update this page if it is adopted.
Sources
Questions this page answers
Does Boston have a transfer tax?
Not as of October 2026. Boston sellers pay only the state deed excise of $4.56 per $1,000 of the sale price.
What is Boston proposing?
A petition (H.5464) would let Boston charge up to 2% on the part of a sale price above $2 million. It needs approval from the Legislature and the Governor.
Would the Boston fee apply to my $1 million condo?
Not as written. The proposal only reaches the part of a price above $2 million, so a $1 million sale would owe nothing extra.
Should I count a Boston fee in my cost to sell?
No. It is not law. We leave it out of our cost-to-sell numbers and will update them if it is adopted.