Understanding Alameda County’s Transfer Tax: A Quick Guide
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Joseph Gordon EditorJoseph Gordon is an Editor with HomeLight. He has several years of experience reporting on the commercial real estate and insurance industries.
If you’re selling a home in Alameda County, you’ll likely need to account for real estate transfer taxes—fees paid when property ownership changes hands. These taxes vary by location and can add up quickly, affecting your bottom line at closing.
In Alameda County, transfer taxes are collected at the state, county, and city levels. The total amount you’ll pay depends on your home’s sale price and the specific municipality where it’s located. Some cities impose higher rates, while others may have exemptions or unique fee structures.
This guide breaks down what sellers need to know about Alameda County transfer taxes, including who pays them, how they’re calculated, and whether any exemptions apply.
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What are transfer taxes?
Real estate transfer taxes are fees imposed by state or local governments when property ownership is legally transferred from one party to another. According to the Federal Trade Commission, these taxes are due when the title—the legal proof of ownership—passes to a new owner. Transfer taxes are typically calculated as a percentage of the sale price or assessed property value, though specific rates and rules vary by location.
The amount you owe depends on where your property is located, as state, county, and city governments set their own tax rates. These taxes serve as a source of funding for public services, infrastructure projects, and other local initiatives designed to generate revenue. Because transfer tax rates and requirements differ across jurisdictions, sellers should review local regulations to understand their financial obligations before closing a sale.
Who pays for transfer taxes?
The responsibility of who pays for transfer taxes varies depending on the city, state, or county. In Alameda County, the seller pays for any real estate transfer taxes accrued as a result of a property changing hands.
What are the types of transfer taxes?
Real estate transfer taxes fluctuate depending on the market. Different jurisdictions will have different requirements. For Alameda County, you’ll have to consider taxes at the California state level as well as the county. Here’s what to expect:
State transfer taxes
Transfer taxes in California are levied at a rate of $0.55 per every $500 of home value. This tax rate is the same across all cities and counties in the Golden State, though you will still have to pay taxes specific to your city and county in addition to state taxes.
County transfer taxes
Transfer tax rates also vary by county in California.
Alameda County’s transfer taxes vary by city and range from as low as $8.50 per $1,000 of the property’s value, rounded up in Hayward, to as high as $25.00 in Berkeley and Oakland. It’s important to note that, within some cities, the overall cost of the property can also change the transfer tax rate.
For example, in Oakland, property sold for $300,000 is taxed at $10.00 per $1,000, which increases as the property valu goes up.
According to the Alameda County Clerk-Recorder’s website, here’s a full table of possible Alameda County transfer tax costs.
| City | Rate per $1,000 |
| Alameda | $12.00 |
| Albany | $15.00 |
| Berkeley | $15.00 ($1.6 million and less) |
| Berkeley (cont.) | $25.00 ($1,600,001 and above) |
| Emeryville | $12.00 (less than $1,000,000) |
| Emeryville (cont.) | $15.00 ($1,000,000 to $2,000,000) |
| Emeryville (cont.) | $25.00 ($2,000,001 and above) |
| Hayward | $8.50 |
| Oakland | $10.00 ($300,000 and less) |
| Oakland (cont.) | $15.00 ($300,001 to $2,000,000) |
| Oakland (cont.) | $17.50 ($2,000,001 to $5,000,000) |
| Oakland (cont.) | $25.00 ($5,000,001 and above) |
| Piedmont | $13.00 |
| San Leandro | $11.00 |
Other transfer fees
In addition to transfer taxes, there are possible fees to consider, such as from a homeowner’s association or another local neighborhood organization. Again, as these can vary heavily based on location, it’s important to consult a professional.
If you’re selling your home for sale by owner, consulting a professional might help with some of the finer points of the process and give you a better idea of what you can expect.
Are transfer taxes deductible?
Transfer taxes are not tax-deductible on your income tax return. However, they may still provide some tax relief when it comes to capital gains.
Capital gains refer to the profit made from selling your home, which is subject to federal taxes.
The IRS allows sellers to include transfer taxes as selling costs, meaning they can deduct these expenses from the home’s final sale price. This adjustment can help lower the taxable gain, potentially reducing the amount owed in capital gains taxes.
Transfer tax exemptions
You may be eligible for Alameda County transfer tax exemptions, depending on the specifics of your sale. Here are some examples of when an exemption might be possible:
- Lien value: No tax if outstanding liens equal or exceed the property value.
- Collateral security: Applies to debt-secured instruments; does not cover deeds.
- Government agency: Covers transfers to government entities, including FHLMC and FNMA foreclosures.
- Bankruptcy/court order: This includes bankruptcy transfers and court-ordered conveyances that do not involve a sale.
- SEC order: Applies to transfers ordered by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
- Same party interest: No tax if ownership remains proportional after transfer.
- Trustee deeds: Covers trustee sales or deeds in lieu of foreclosure (only on lien value, not equity).
- Marriage dissolution: Applies to transfers between spouses due to divorce.
- Non-federal agency: Tax-free if a non-federal agency transfers the property and the buyer immediately reconveys it to an exempt agency.
- Non-profit transfer: This exemption applies when a government agency transfers property to a non-profit (it is not valid for private-to-non-profit transfers).
- Trust/beneficiary: Covers transfers to a grantor’s trust, gifts without payment, and property passed after death.
Estimating transfer taxes for your home sale
A quick way to get an estimate is by using HomeLight’s Net Proceeds Calculator. This tool factors in key costs like transfer taxes, agent commissions, and closing fees, giving you a clearer picture of your expected profit.
Consulting a top real estate agent is a smart move for a more precise estimate.
A knowledgeable agent can break down the transfer taxes specific to your city, explain whether they are negotiable, and help you strategize ways to maximize your proceeds. While these taxes are often the seller’s responsibility, local market conditions may allow for some flexibility.
HomeLight can connect you with an expert real estate agent in Alameda County today, giving you the tools you need to sell your home with confidence.
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