What are the transfer taxes when selling a home in Greenwich, CT?
When selling a home in Greenwich, Connecticut, sellers are responsible for two separate transfer taxes at closing: the Connecticut state conveyance tax and the Greenwich municipal conveyance tax. The state rate starts at 0.75% on the first $800,000 of the sale price and increases at higher price tiers—which means luxury sellers face a significantly larger tax bite than the headline rate suggests. Most sellers don't calculate this until they're reviewing the closing disclosure, which is exactly the wrong time to be surprised.
By Charles Nedder | May 16, 2026
Most sellers spend a lot of time thinking about list price, timing, and staging.
Transfer taxes? Usually an afterthought—until the closing disclosure arrives and the numbers don't match what you were expecting.
In Greenwich, there are two separate transfer taxes that come directly out of your proceeds at closing. One is the state conveyance tax. The other is Greenwich's municipal conveyance tax. Together, they can represent a meaningful reduction in your net—especially at the price points most Greenwich homes trade at.
Here's what every Greenwich seller needs to understand before they go to market.
The Two Transfer Taxes Greenwich Sellers Pay
Tax 1: The Connecticut State Conveyance Tax
Connecticut's state conveyance tax is a graduated rate that increases as the sale price climbs. It does not apply uniformly to the entire purchase price—instead, it applies at different rates to different tiers of the sale price.
The rate starts at 0.75% on the first $800,000 of the sale price. Above that threshold, the rate escalates. For luxury properties selling well above $800,000—which describes a significant portion of the Greenwich market—a meaningful portion of the proceeds gets taxed at the higher tier rate.
That graduated structure is the key thing sellers miss. They see the 0.75% base rate and assume it applies to the whole transaction. It doesn't. The higher-tier rate on the amount above $800,000 can add substantially more to your tax bill than the base rate alone would suggest.
Your real estate attorney will provide exact figures at closing based on current Connecticut statutes, which can change through legislative action. Always verify the current rates with your attorney before finalizing your net proceeds estimate.
Tax 2: The Greenwich Municipal Conveyance Tax
In addition to the state tax, the Town of Greenwich charges its own municipal conveyance tax. This rate applies to the total sale price—not just the portion above a threshold.
The municipal tax is separate from the state tax and is paid at closing alongside it. Both are deducted from the seller's proceeds before any funds are distributed.
Greenwich is not alone in charging a municipal conveyance tax—many Connecticut towns do. But because Greenwich home prices are among the highest in the state, even a modest percentage adds up to a real dollar figure at the closing table.
Why the Escalating State Rate Matters in Greenwich
Greenwich's median sale price sits well above $800,000—which means the vast majority of Greenwich home sales trigger the higher-tier state conveyance tax rate on a portion of the proceeds.
Let's say you're selling a home for $2,000,000. You don't simply multiply the entire price by 0.75%. The calculation breaks into tiers: the first $800,000 is taxed at one rate, and the remaining $1,200,000 is taxed at the higher escalating rate. Add the Greenwich municipal tax on the full $2,000,000, and the combined transfer tax bill can easily run into five figures.
For sellers at the luxury end of the market—$3M, $4M, $5M and above—the combined transfer tax becomes one of the most significant line items on the closing disclosure. It belongs in every conversation about net proceeds, right alongside real estate commission and attorney fees.
Want to understand exactly what you'll net from your Greenwich home sale before you commit to a list price? Download The Charles Nedder Team Real Estate App for market data and direct access to our team. Get the app here.
What Else Comes Out of Your Proceeds at Closing?
Transfer taxes don't operate in isolation. They're one of several costs that reduce your gross sale price to your actual net. Here's what a typical Greenwich seller's closing costs look like in full:
- State conveyance tax — Graduated rate, starting at 0.75% on the first $800,000, escalating above that threshold
- Greenwich municipal conveyance tax — Applied to the full sale price
- Real estate commission — Varies; negotiated with your listing agent
- Attorney fees — Connecticut requires attorneys for closing; fees vary by firm and complexity
- Seller concessions — Any credits agreed to during inspection negotiations
- Remaining mortgage payoff — If you carry a mortgage, the balance is paid from proceeds at closing
- Pro-rated property taxes — Depending on your closing date within the tax year
The sum of these line items is what separates your gross sale price from your actual take-home. In the clients I work with, the difference between what sellers expect to net and what they actually net—before running the numbers carefully—can be surprising.
When to Think About Transfer Taxes: Before You List, Not After You Accept
Here's the timing that matters: your transfer tax liability is fixed the moment you accept an offer. You can't negotiate it away after the fact. If you're evaluating competing offers and two are close in price, the net proceeds calculation—including transfer taxes—is what actually determines which one puts more money in your pocket.
The clients who are most prepared for closing are the ones who got a detailed net sheet from their agent before the home hit the market. A good net sheet walks through every cost line, including both transfer taxes calculated at your expected sale price, so you know exactly what you're selling for—not just what the offer says.
If you're planning a move out of Greenwich or downsizing within the area, understanding your net proceeds drives everything downstream: what you can afford on the buy side, how you sequence the transactions, and whether you need a bridge loan or can close simultaneously.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the transfer taxes when selling a home in Greenwich, CT?
Greenwich sellers pay two transfer taxes: the Connecticut state conveyance tax (a graduated rate starting at 0.75% on the first $800,000 of the sale price, escalating for amounts above that threshold) and a Greenwich municipal conveyance tax applied to the full sale price. Together, these represent a meaningful closing cost, particularly for luxury properties.
Who pays transfer taxes when selling a house in Connecticut?
The seller pays both transfer taxes at closing in Connecticut. They are deducted directly from the seller's proceeds. Buyers do not pay transfer taxes in Connecticut, though they have their own closing costs including title insurance, attorney fees, and mortgage-related charges.
How do I calculate my net proceeds from a home sale in Greenwich?
Start with the expected sale price and subtract: both conveyance taxes (state and municipal), real estate commission, attorney fees, any seller credits agreed to during negotiations, your remaining mortgage balance, and pro-rated property taxes. Your listing agent should provide a detailed net sheet before you go to market. Ask for one—it's one of the most important documents in the entire selling process.
Transfer taxes aren't optional, and they're not small. For most Greenwich sellers, they represent one of the larger line items on the closing disclosure—and the sellers who are most surprised by them are the ones who didn't think about them until the end.
Before you set your list price or decide between offers, make sure you know exactly what you'll net. That means running the numbers on every closing cost, including both transfer taxes calculated at your actual expected sale price.
If you want help building out a full net proceeds estimate for your Greenwich home, or you're ready to understand what the current market will actually pay for your property, reach out to The Charles Nedder Team. You can also download the app below to stay current on pricing and inventory as you plan your next move. Download the app here.
About Charles Nedder
Charles Nedder is a top Realtor and Team Leader in Greenwich, CT and Westchester County, NY, specializing in luxury real estate, home sales, and relocation. As CEO of The Charles Nedder Team — the #1 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices team in Connecticut — he helps clients buy and sell homes with confidence using advanced marketing, market analytics, and strong negotiation. Connect with Charles at www.thecharlesnedderteam.com or call (203) 654-7533.
