There is no transfer tax or mortgage fee in Kansas.[1]
Real estate transfer fees used to be complex in Kansas, but have recently been reformed to make the process much simpler and easier to figure out. The new process is based on the number of pages in the mortgage or deed filing and paid by buyers.
Who pays transfer taxes in Kansas: The buyer or the seller?
As of January 1st, 2019, there is no longer a transfer tax or a mortgage registration tax in the state of Kansas. However, small fees related to documentation and registration may still apply during the closing process, and these fees would typically be paid by the buyer.
Market conditions and negotiations could affect who ends up paying the transfer tax, however.
Does Kansas have a mortgage tax?
While some states have an additional tax on mortgages, Kansas does not. The state repealed its mortgage tax in 2014, and the fee was entirely phased out by 2019.Does Kansas have any transfer tax exemptions?
No exemptions for transfer taxes are necessary in Kansas.
However, you may be eligible for certain property tax exemptions in Kansas. Read our guide to Kansas real estate taxes to learn more.
🏠 Planning on selling a home you inherited in Kansas? Read our guide to selling inherited property in Kansas to learn what you can expect from the process.
Can you deduct transfer taxes?
Unlike property taxes, you cannot deduct real estate transfer taxes from your annual income taxes. However, the seller may be able to include this amount in the "cost basis" of the property, which can help defer capital gains taxes.
When you sell your home for more than what you paid for it, you could be subjected to paying capital gains tax. Capital gain is calculated by subtracting the sale price from the price it cost you to acquire the property. For example, if you purchased a home for $150,000 and sold it for $200,000, your capital gain would be $50,000. However, if you paid the $200 transfer tax instead of the buyer, your capital gain becomes $49,800 instead.
Most home sales in Kansas will have no capital gains to claim. Individuals can exempt the first $250,000 in profit, while married couples filing jointly can deduct the first $500,000 of their profit. With a median home value far below these levels, in most cases, you won't need to worry about deductions in the first place. In the rare instance that it does, the transfer tax deduction can come in handy.
When do you pay transfer taxes in Kansas?
Transfer taxes are normally due at closing, but you won't need to worry about that in Kansas. You should be prepared for other closing costs like title service fees and agent commission, however.
💸 How much will your Kansas closing costs be? Our Kansas seller closing costs calculator can provide a detailed estimate.
Other considerations
The good news for buyers and sellers is that neither party has to figure out real estate transfer taxes on their own. The closing attorney will calculate this amount for you and include it as part of the closing costs on the settlement sheet. The transfer tax must be paid at the time of the closing in order for the new homeowner to take possession.
That said, responsibilities for ambiguous tax payments can be complicated. Buyers and sellers alike can benefit from partnering with an experienced local real estate agent who can help them navigate the complexities of the real estate transfer tax and other closing costs in Kansas.
Clever can partner you with a local real estate agent who knows how to deal with the state’s tax and helps negotiate a deal in your favor. What’s more, our agents charge only a 1.5% listing fee compared to the state average of 2.90%! The money you'll save can more than offset the cost of the transfer taxes.
By selling with a great full-service realtor, you can get top dollar for your home to offset any transfer taxes. Clever helps you find the best realtors in your local market AND negotiates lower commission rates with them.
With Clever:
- You'll only pay a 1.5% commission to list your home
- Sellers save an average $7,000 on realtor fees
- Offers come in 2.8x faster than the national average
Our matching service is 100% free with no obligation. Try Clever today!
Methodology
- Transfer tax amounts are based on government website information as of October 2025.
- We gathered our listing commission rate data from a September 2025 survey of 828 of agents nationwide.
- Home values, list prices, and sale prices are based on Zillow data as of September 2025.
