Transfer Tax

36 M.R.S. §§ 4641 - 4641-N

The Real Estate Transfer Tax ("RETT") is a tax collected on the sale of real estate, including the transfer or acquisition of a direct or indirect controlling interest of an entity with a fee interest in real property (also known as the Controlling Interest Transfer Tax, or “CITT”). The rate of tax is $2.20 for each $500 or fractional part of $500 of the value of the property being transferred. The tax is imposed ½ on the grantor (seller), and ½ on the grantee (buyer).

  • Sale of Real Estate - RETT is imposed on each deed by which any real property in Maine is transferred. The register of deeds for the county or region where the real estate is located will compute and collect the tax based on the value of the property listed in a declaration of value.
     
  • Transfer by Controlling Interest – CITT is imposed on each transfer or acquisition of a direct or indirect controlling interest of an entity with a fee interest in real property.  A separate Return/Declaration must be filed for each transfer of a controlling interest in the county where real property is located. The register of deeds for the county or region where the real estate is located will compute and collect the tax based on the value of the property as set forth in the declaration.

Certain transfers are exempt from RETT and CITT.  For more information on RETT and CITT, see Property Tax Bulletin No. 31 and MRS Rule 207.  For more information on how to use the RETT Database available on the Maine Tax Portal, see the RETT Database FAQs. 

Please contact the Property Tax Division by email at prop.tax@maine.gov if you have any questions not addressed by the resources above.
 

Adjusted Assessed Value

Originators authorized to file Real Estate Transfer Tax Declarations (“RETTD”) must include the “adjusted assessed value” of the real estate being conveyed in the RETTD.  The adjusted assessed value is equal to the municipal assessed value of the conveyed real estate, divided by the certified ratio of the municipality where the real estate is located.  Originators can obtain these values by contacting the municipal assessor of the municipality where the property is located. 
 

Transfer Tax Law