Northern Virginia sellers pay statutory transfer taxes (Grantor's Tax, Regional Congestion Relief Fee, regional WMATA capital fee), title company fees, and any negotiated seller credits. The regional fees apply specifically to NVTA-member jurisdictions and are fixed by Virginia law, though contractual reallocation is permitted.
What are the seller closing costs in Northern Virginia?
Northern Virginia sellers pay a combination of statutory transfer taxes, the Grantor's Tax, the Regional Congestion Relief Fee, and the regional WMATA capital fee, plus title company fees and any seller-paid credits negotiated in the contract. The regional fees are unique to Northern Virginia's NVTA-member jurisdictions and don't apply to most other parts of Virginia. While the statutory taxes are fixed by law, most other closing costs, and who ultimately pays the regional fees, can be negotiated between buyer and seller.
Key Takeaways
- Northern Virginia sellers are subject to three layers of transfer-related taxes at closing: the state Grantor's Tax, the Regional Congestion Relief Fee ($0.10 per $100 of value under Va. Code § 58.1-802.4), and the regional WMATA capital fee ($0.10 per $100 of value under Va. Code § 58.1-802.3).
- The combined rate for the two regional fees is $0.20 per $100 of value, and both have been in effect at their current rates since May 1, 2021, confirmed as current as of September 2026.
- Both regional fees default to the seller (grantor) by statute, but Virginia law explicitly allows buyer and seller to contractually reallocate who pays them.
- The regional WMATA capital fee and congestion relief fee apply in NVTA-member jurisdictions, including Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Arlington, and Alexandria, but not in most other parts of Virginia.
- Title company fees, seller concessions, and repair credits are negotiable and vary by transaction; the statutory taxes are not.
What are the mandatory taxes Northern Virginia sellers pay at closing?
This is where Northern Virginia sellers get a line-item education fast. You're not just paying the base state transfer tax, you're paying it plus two regional surcharges that exist specifically because your property sits in a WMATA-served, transportation-funded part of Virginia. Here's how each one works.
The Virginia Grantor's Tax
The Grantor's Tax is Virginia's state-level transfer tax on deeds conveying real property, codified in Title 58.1, Chapter 8 of the Code of Virginia. It is legally owed by the grantor, that's you, the seller, though parties can agree by contract to shift or share the cost. This is the foundational transfer tax that applies statewide, and it's the starting point for the calculation at the title company's closing table.
The Regional Congestion Relief Fee
On top of the Grantor's Tax, Va. Code § 58.1-802.4 imposes a Regional Congestion Relief Fee on deeds for property located in specific planning districts, including Planning District 8, which covers the Northern Virginia localities in the Washington metro area. The Prince William County Circuit Court land records fee schedule confirms the current rate at $0.10 per $100 (or fraction thereof) of value, calculated on the same value basis used to assess the Grantor's Tax. This rate has been in effect since May 1, 2021, and remains current as of September 2026.
The Regional WMATA Capital Fee
Va. Code § 58.1-802.3 establishes a separate regional WMATA capital fee on deeds for property in any county or city that is a member of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA). The rate is also $0.10 per $100 (or fraction thereof) of value, confirmed by the same Prince William County land records fee schedule. The value basis excludes any liens or encumbrances remaining on the property at time of sale. By default, this fee is imposed on the grantor (seller), but the statute explicitly allows the grantor and grantee to agree by contract for the buyer to pay all or part of it.
Put those two regional fees together and you're looking at a combined $0.20 per $100 of value in regional transportation charges that sellers in Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Arlington, and Alexandria pay that sellers in most other Virginia counties do not. That's the practical cost of being in a WMATA-funded jurisdiction, and it's a real line item on your closing disclosure.
For a fuller picture of everything that goes into the cost of selling, see my companion post on What Does It Cost to Sell a Home in Northern Virginia?
| Cost Category | Governing Authority | Rate / Basis | Negotiable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grantor's Tax (state transfer tax) | Va. Code Title 58.1, Chapter 8 | Per $100 of value; statewide | Statutory default: seller pays; parties can reallocate by contract |
| Regional Congestion Relief Fee | Va. Code § 58.1-802.4 (Planning District 8) | $0.10 per $100 of value | Statutory default: seller pays; parties can reallocate by contract |
| Regional WMATA Capital Fee | Va. Code § 58.1-802.3 (NVTA member jurisdictions) | $0.10 per $100 of value | Statutory default: seller pays; parties can reallocate by contract |
| Title company / settlement fee | Title company contract | Flat fee; varies by company | Yes, shop title companies |
| Deed preparation fee | Title company contract | Flat fee; varies by company | Yes |
| Seller concessions / credits | Purchase contract | Negotiated dollar amount | Yes, fully negotiable |
| Real estate commission (listing side) | Listing agreement | Fully negotiable; no standard rate | Yes, set in your listing agreement |
What do title companies charge sellers, and what about commission and credits?
The statutory taxes get the most attention, but they're not the only costs on your settlement statement. Here's how the other categories work.
Title company fees
In Virginia, closings are handled by a title company, not an attorney. The title company coordinates the closing, disburses funds, records the deed, and handles payoffs of existing mortgages. For sellers, that typically means a settlement or closing fee (a flat charge for running the transaction), a deed preparation fee for drafting the conveyance document, document handling and recording facilitation charges, and wire or escrow fees for managing proceeds and mortgage payoffs. These are not set by statute, they vary by title company, and it's worth asking for a fee schedule when you're deciding who handles your closing. If you want a sense of how the closing timeline unfolds, my post on How Long Does Closing Take in Northern Virginia? walks through the sequence.
Real estate commission
Your listing-side commission is set in your listing agreement, there is no standard, customary, or fixed rate. Following the 2024 NAR settlement, broker compensation is fully negotiable and no longer pre-set on Bright MLS. The listing fee and any compensation a seller chooses to offer a buyer's agent are separate decisions. Whether and how much to offer a buyer's agent is optional and negotiated independently, it is not automatically bundled into your selling costs. For a deeper look at how that works post-settlement, see Buyer's Agent Commission: Do Northern VA Sellers Have to Pay?
Seller concessions and credits
These show up on the closing disclosure as a credit from seller to buyer, reducing the buyer's cash to close. The most common forms I see in Northern Virginia contracts right now are:
- Closing cost concessions: A lump-sum credit the buyer uses to offset their own closing expenses. These are negotiated in the purchase contract and can be a meaningful lever in a competitive offer situation.
- Repair credits: Instead of completing repairs before closing, sellers sometimes agree to a credit, particularly when speed matters or the repair is specialized.
- Home warranty contributions: Sellers may offer to pay for a one-year home warranty, either directly or as a closing credit.
- Appliance or system credits: Negotiated amounts when an inspection reveals issues the buyer wants addressed without delaying closing.
None of these are required. They're negotiating tools, and whether they make sense depends entirely on your specific situation, the market at the time you list, and what the buyer's offer looks like. Every seller I work with gets a net proceeds analysis before we finalize a listing strategy, because your walk-away number is what actually matters, not the gross sale price.
Frequently Asked Questions
What closing costs does a seller pay in Northern Virginia, and which are mandatory versus negotiable?
Mandatory (statutory) costs include the Grantor's Tax, the Regional Congestion Relief Fee, and the regional WMATA capital fee, all governed by the Code of Virginia, Title 58.1, Chapter 8, and assessed at deed recording. Negotiable costs include title company fees, real estate commission, and any seller concessions or credits; even the statutory fees can be contractually reallocated to the buyer, though the seller is the default payer under Virginia law.
Are the Northern Virginia congestion relief and WMATA fees always paid by the seller, or can the buyer pay them?
By statute, both fees default to the grantor (seller), but Va. Code § 58.1-802.3 and related sections explicitly allow the parties to agree by contract for the buyer to pay all or part of them. In Northern Virginia practice, these fees are customarily treated as seller costs and most contracts reflect that, but any deviation needs to be clearly spelled out in the purchase agreement and reflected on the closing disclosure.
Do the Regional Congestion Relief Fee and WMATA capital fee apply to every property in Northern Virginia, or only certain counties?
The regional WMATA capital fee applies to deeds for property in NVTA-member jurisdictions, which include Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Prince William County, Arlington County, and the City of Alexandria, among others. The Regional Congestion Relief Fee applies to realty in Planning District 8 counties and cities, which covers the same Northern Virginia metro area. Sellers in Virginia localities outside these districts and NVTA membership would not incur both regional fees, which is why Northern Virginia seller costs differ meaningfully from the rest of the state.
How are the Grantor's Tax and regional fees calculated on a home sale in Northern Virginia?
All three charges are calculated based on the greater of the contract price or the property's actual value, excluding the value of any liens or encumbrances remaining on the property at time of sale. The Regional Congestion Relief Fee and WMATA capital fee are each assessed at $0.10 per $100 (or fraction thereof) of that value, as confirmed by the Prince William County Circuit Court land records fee schedule. All three are assessed and paid at the time of deed recording, they are one-time transaction costs, not recurring taxes.
What does a title company charge the seller at closing in Virginia?
Title company charges for sellers typically include a settlement or closing fee, a deed preparation fee, document handling and recording facilitation charges, and wire or escrow fees for disbursing proceeds and paying off existing mortgages. These fees are not set by statute and vary by company, ask for a fee schedule upfront. In Virginia, the title company (not an attorney) handles the closing and coordinates all funds disbursement.
If you're getting close to listing and want to see exactly how these costs stack up against your expected sale price, this post walks through the full cost picture. Or reach out directly, I'll run you a personalized net proceeds analysis so you know your real walk-away number before you sign anything.
Get a free home valuation and net proceeds estimate here.
Equal Housing Opportunity. Karyl Allen is a licensed REALTOR® in Virginia, affiliated with Pearson Smith Realty. This article is general information only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Statutory rates and fee schedules are subject to change; confirm all costs and figures applicable to your transaction with your title company, tax advisor, or lender before closing.