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Property Transfer Tax

Property Transfer Tax is a tax on the transfer of title to real property in Vermont. The tax applies to both property transfers by deed and to acquisitions of a controlling interest in an entity with title to a property.

How to File

There are two ways to file your return when the transfer is by deed:

Online: Electronically file through myVTax.

Paper Return: Tax preparers who file more than five returns or certificate requests per calendar year are required to use myVTax for filing. If you file fewer than five returns, you can order forms online or by contacting us at (802) 828-2515.

How to Make a Payment

Tax is due within 30 days of the closing date.

Online: You may pay electronically at myVTax.

By Mail: Please make checks payable to the Vermont Department of Taxes and complete Form PTT-173, Property Transfer Payment Voucher. Mail your payment and voucher to:

Vermont Department of Taxes
133 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05633-1401

How to File and Pay Controlling Interest

To report the transfer or acquisition of a direct or indirect controlling interest in any person with title to property please file Form PTT-182, Property Transfer Controlling using myVTax. Tax is due within 30 days of the transfer. You may pay electronically with myVTax, or by check. Please make checks payable to the Vermont Department of Taxes and complete Form PTT-173, Property Transfer Payment Voucher.

If you have questions or if you need assistance filing returns, please contact the Department at (802) 828-6851 or tax.rett@vermont.gov.

Property Transfer Tax Forms and Guidance

myVTax Instructions

Title Number Revised
myVTax Guide: How to Login and File a Property Transfer Tax Return GB-1130 2020
myVTax Guide: How to Record Returns for Town Clerks GB-1216 2021
myVTax Guide: How to Search for Property Transfer Tax Returns for Listers and Assessors GB-1150 2020

Tax Forms and Instructions

The department provides an Excel calculator so taxpayers and preparers can determine how much Property Tax Credit the taxpayer will receive in the coming property tax year.

Form Number Instructions Title Revised
PTT-172 Instructions Vermont Property Transfer Tax Return 2023
PTT-172 Guide Included PTT-172 Quick Reference Guide 2019
PTT-173 Instructions Property Transfer Payment Voucher 2020
PTT-175 Included with form Additional Transferors And Transferees 2020
PTT-182 Instructions Property Transfer Controlling Interest 2020
RW-171 Included with form Vermont Withholding Tax Return for Transfer of Real Property 2014

Fact Sheets and Guidance

Title Number Revised
Clean Water Surcharge on Property Transfers FS-1123 2024
Property Transfer Tax Return (PT-172): Forms Acceptable to File with Vermont Towns  FS-1042 2023
Town Clerks: When to Mail Paper Versions of the Property Transfer Tax Return to the State FS-1137 2024
Vermont Taxation on Transfers of Mobile Homes FS-1275 2024

Property Transfer Tax Statistics

Type Frequency
Weekly Property Transfer Tax Data Weekly
Quarterly Property Transfer Tax Reports Quarterly
Calendar Year Property Transfer Tax Reports Annually

For Town Clerks

The following forms are acceptable to record:

Date of Closing Form Number
Prior to June 1, 2015 PT-172, PT-172-S, PT-172-B (Order paper forms)
June 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 PTT-172, Vermont Property Transfer Tax Return (rev 6/17)
2016 PTT-172, Vermont Property Transfer Tax Return (rev 6/17)
2017 PTT-172, Vermont Property Transfer Tax Return (rev 6/17)
2018 PTT-172, Vermont Property Transfer Tax Return (rev 6/17)
2019 PTT-172, Vermont Property Transfer Tax Return (rev 8/22)
2020 PTT-172, Vermont Property Transfer Tax Return (rev 8/22)
2021 PTT-172, Vermont Property Transfer Tax Return (rev 8/22)

Rate Schedule

When to Apply the Property Transfer Tax and the Clean Water Surcharge

Type of Property Value Taxed 0.5% Property Transfer Tax Applies 1.25% Property Transfer Tax Applies 0.2% Clean Water Surcharge Applies
Not Principal Residence All No Yes Yes
Principal Residence* $0 - $100,000 Yes No No
Principal Residence* Marginal Value > $100,000 No Yes Yes
Principal Residence Purchased with VHFA, CVTF, or USDA Assistance $0 - $110,000 No No No
Principal Residence Purchased with VHFA, CVTF, or USDA Assistance $110,000 - $200,000 No Yes No
Principal Residence Purchased with VHFA, CVTF, or USDA Assistance Marginal Value > $200,000 No Yes Yes

Exceptions

Principal Residence

  • 0.005 on the first $100,000

  • 0.0145 on balance

Mortgage obtained through VT Housing Finance Agency/VT Housing & Conservation Trust Fund or the US Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

  • First $110,000 is exempt

  • 0.0125 on balance of purchase price between $110,001 and $200,000      

  • 0.0145 on balance of purchase price over $200,000

Lands enrolled in State use value appraisal programs

  • 0.005 Properties transferred before July 1, 2011

  • 0.0125 Properties transferred on or after July 1, 2011, and before June 16, 2015

  • 0.0145 for properties transferred after June 16, 2015 

Types of Loans Eligible for an Exemption

There are exemptions for the property transfer tax on the first $110,000 in value of the property transferred when the buyer obtains a mortgage loan:

  1. made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Rural Development or

  2. purchased by the Vermont Housing and Finance Agency.

  • USDA Rural Development Direct Home Loans are exempt for the first $110,000.00 in value because they are mortgages that USDA Rural Development has committed to make to the borrower.

  • Vermont Housing and Finance Agency purchased mortgages are exempt for the first $110,000.00 in value because they are mortgages that VHFA has committed to purchase from the originating lender.

  • USDA Rural Development Guaranteed Loans are not exempt. USDA does not commit to make or purchase these types of mortgages. Instead, USDA guarantees a loan that is provided by a financial institution. USDA will pay the lender if the borrower defaults, but the borrower must then repay the USDA. This arrangement is neither a commitment to make a mortgage or a commitment to purchase a mortgage.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should you file a Property Transfer Tax return?

Transfer by Deed:

  • A Property Transfer Tax Return must be filed with a town clerk whenever a deed(s) transferring title to real property is delivered to a town clerk for recording. A town clerk cannot record any deed unless it is accompanied by a completed Property Transfer Tax Return.

Transfer by Acquisition of Controlling Interest:

  • A Property Transfer Tax Return must be filed directly with the Department of Taxes within 30 days after the transfer or acquisition. To report the transfer or acquisition of a direct or indirect controlling interest in any person with title to property please file Form PTT-182, Property Transfer Controlling Interest using myVTax. If you have questions, please contact the Department at (802) 828-6851 or tax.rett@vermont.gov.

What is a “Controlling Interest”?

For Corporations:

  1. 50 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the corporation or

  2. 50 percent or more of the capital of the corporation or

  3. 50 percent or more of the profits of the corporation or

  4. 50 percent or more of the beneficial interest in voting stock of the corporation.

For Partnerships, LLCs, Associations, Trusts, and Other Entities:

  1. 50 percent or more of the capital of the entity or

  2. 50 percent or more of the profits of the entity or

  3. 50 percent or more of the beneficial interest in the entity.

Who is liable for the tax?

When a transfer is made by deed, the buyer or transferee is liable for the transfer tax.

When acquiring a controlling interest in an entity that holds title to property, the person making the acquisition is liable. All persons acting in concert to acquire a controlling interest are individually liable but should file only one return representing their combined acquisition of the controlling interest.

Property and Real Estate Transaction Tax Forms and Instructions

Number Instructions Title
Commissioner's Certificate  

All certificate requests must be requested through myVTax

How to request a Commissioner's Certificate

HSD-315   Request For Lister’s Certificate of Housesite Value (Formerly Form PVR-315)
HSD-316   Request For Lister’s Certificate of Housesite Value For A Subdivided Parcel (Formerly Form PVR-316)
LGT-174   Land Gains Installment Payment Voucher
LGT-177

Instructions

Vermont Land Gains Withholding Tax Return To Be Completed By Buyer (Transferee)
LGT-178 Instructions Vermont Land Gains Tax Return To Be Completed By Seller (Transferor)
LGT-179 Instructions Vermont Land Gains Schedules
LGT-181 Instructions

Land Gains Basis Calculation Foreclosure Property

PTT-172 Instructions

Vermont Property Transfer Tax Return

PTT-173  Instructions Property Transfer Payment Voucher
PTT-175   

Additional Transferors And Transferees

PTT-182 Instructions

Property Transfer Controlling Interest

RW-171   Vermont Withholding Tax Return for Transfer of Real Property