Surprised by the extra line items on your closing disclosure? In Perry, two state taxes often appear at closing and they can feel confusing the first time you see them. You want a simple, local explanation so you can budget well and avoid last‑minute delays. In this guide, you’ll learn what Georgia’s transfer tax and intangible recording tax are, how they are calculated, who typically pays, and what changed for certain loans in 2025. Let’s dive in.
The two closing taxes in Perry
Georgia has two statewide excise taxes that show up in Perry closings and are collected locally in Houston County:
- Real Estate Transfer Tax: paid when title is conveyed and reported on the PT‑61 form before the deed can be recorded. You can review the state overview on the Georgia Department of Revenue’s transfer tax page.
- Intangible Recording Tax: paid when a security deed or mortgage that secures a long‑term note is recorded. Learn more on the Georgia Department of Revenue’s intangible recording tax page.
Key takeaway: These are Georgia state taxes, but you pay them at the Houston County Clerk of Superior Court when recording your documents.
Real Estate Transfer Tax basics
- Rate: effectively about 0.10 percent of the sale price. By statute it is $1.00 for the first $1,000 of consideration and $0.10 for each additional $100 or fraction.
- Payer: the seller is primarily liable under Georgia law, but your contract can allocate this cost to either side.
- Filing: the deed cannot be recorded without a completed PT‑61 and payment. The PT‑61 is commonly prepared and submitted through the GSCCCA PT‑61 eFiling portal.
Examples:
- $250,000 sale price: about $250 in transfer tax.
- $350,000 sale price: about $350 in transfer tax.
- Small transfers between $100 and $1,000: minimum $1 tax.
Key takeaway: Budget about 0.10 percent of the sale price for transfer tax, then let your closing attorney apply the statutory rounding.
Intangible Recording Tax basics
- Rate: $1.50 for each $500 or fraction of the loan principal, which is roughly 0.30 percent before rounding. The tax on any single note is capped at $25,000.
- Timing: the tax is collected when the security deed is presented for recording and must be paid within 90 days of execution of the instrument.
- Payer: the lender is the taxpayer by statute, but lenders typically collect this amount from the borrower at closing.
- Penalties: failure to pay can trigger a 50 percent penalty on the tax plus 1 percent interest per month per Georgia DOR guidance.
Examples:
- $200,000 loan: 200,000 divided by 500 equals 400 units. 400 times $1.50 equals $600.
- $1,500,000 loan: 1,500,000 divided by 500 equals 3,000 units. 3,000 times $1.50 equals $4,500.
Key takeaway: Expect about 0.30 percent of loan principal, rounded up in $500 increments, unless your loan qualifies for an exemption.
2025 update: Short‑term loan exemption expanded
Starting July 1, 2025, House Bill 586 extended the short‑term note exemption for the intangible recording tax. Loans that mature within 62 months from origination are generally exempt from the intangible tax. Review the change on the HB 586 bill page.
Key takeaway: If your loan matures within 62 months, you may avoid intangible tax. Confirm your maturity date on the note and closing package.
What you will pay in Perry
- Transfer tax estimate: sale price times 0.001. Example: $325,000 sale equals about $325.
- Intangible tax estimate: loan amount divided by 500, rounded up, times $1.50. Example: $325,000 loan equals 650 units times $1.50, which is $975.
Rounding rules can change the exact cents, so your closing attorney or title company will calculate the final numbers.
Local process and where to file
In Perry, the Houston County Clerk of Superior Court collects the transfer tax, intangible tax, and recording fees at recording. Find office details on the county site for the Superior Court Clerk’s Recording Division. The Perry office is at 201 N. Perry Parkway and the main Real Estate line is (478) 218‑4720.
Georgia uses standardized flat recording fees for many real estate documents. A typical deed or real estate instrument carries a flat fee that is widely published as $25 per document class under HB 288. Always confirm current fees with the Clerk’s office, since some filings have different charges. For background on the statewide fee schedules, see this industry summary of Georgia’s standardized recording fees.
Key takeaway: Bring complete PT‑61 information and expect flat document fees at recording. The Clerk will not record without required forms and taxes.
Who usually pays each tax
- Transfer tax: the seller is primarily liable by statute, but your purchase and sale agreement can negotiate a different split. See the state overview on transfer tax and PT‑61.
- Intangible tax: the lender is the statutory taxpayer, yet the cost is commonly passed through to the borrower on the closing disclosure. See intangible tax guidance.
Key takeaway: Your contract and loan terms decide the final allocation. Clarify who pays what before you sign.
Quick checklist for your closing
- Confirm who pays the transfer tax in your contract.
- Verify the PT‑61 was completed and submitted through the PT‑61 eFiling portal.
- If you have a loan, ask whether the intangible recording tax applies and who will remit it.
- Get a written estimate of recording and document fees from the Clerk or your closing attorney.
- Check your loan maturity date to see if it qualifies for the HB 586 short‑term exemption.
- Make sure recording will occur within the required timelines to avoid penalties.
Common exemptions and edge cases
Some transactions do not require a PT‑61 filing or have special rules. The GSCCCA lists common PT‑61 exemptions on its PT‑61 important information page. For refinances or note modifications, the DOR provides procedures to determine when a new intangible tax applies or when an affidavit can be used. Review the state’s intangible tax guidance and ask your closing attorney how it fits your situation.
Avoid penalties and delays
Clerks will not record a deed without a properly completed PT‑61 and payment of the transfer tax. See the state rulemaking on transfer tax procedures. For loans, the intangible tax must be paid within 90 days of the instrument’s execution, and failure to pay can result in a 50 percent penalty plus monthly interest per DOR guidance.
Key takeaway: Timely, accurate paperwork keeps your closing on track and protects you from costly penalties.
Ready to close with confidence in Perry?
You deserve clear numbers and a smooth path to the finish line. If you are planning a sale or purchase in Perry or anywhere in Middle Georgia, our local team can help you prepare, estimate costs, and coordinate a clean closing with your attorney. Reach out to the friendly pros at Bold Move Georgia Real Estate Group to get started.
FAQs
What is the PT‑61 and why does it matter?
- The PT‑61 is Georgia’s transfer tax declaration form, and the Clerk will not record your deed without it and the required tax.
How do I estimate my transfer tax quickly?
- Multiply the sale price by 0.001 for a good estimate, then let your closing attorney handle rounding and the first‑$1,000 rule.
Do all mortgages owe the intangible recording tax?
- No. Loans that mature within 62 months from origination are generally exempt starting July 1, 2025, and other exemptions may apply.
Who collects these taxes in Perry?
- The Houston County Clerk of Superior Court’s Recording Division collects the taxes at recording for Perry transactions.
Can my contract change who pays the transfer tax?
- Yes. The seller is primarily liable under state law, but buyers and sellers can negotiate a different allocation in the purchase and sale agreement.
What happens if the intangible tax is not paid on time?
- The state can assess a 50 percent penalty on the tax plus 1 percent monthly interest, and recording can be delayed until paid.
