Selling your Weston home? The Connecticut conveyance tax can catch you off guard at closing if you are not prepared. You want a simple, reliable way to understand what you might owe and how it fits into your net proceeds. In this guide, you will learn how the tax works in Connecticut, where to verify Weston’s current municipal rate, and how to estimate your amount with clear examples and a seller‑friendly worksheet. Let’s dive in.
Conveyance tax basics in Connecticut
The conveyance tax is a transfer tax that applies when real property changes hands. In Connecticut, there are two layers to confirm for every sale: a state conveyance tax and a possible municipal tax adopted by the town. Your total at closing depends on both.
By custom, sellers pay this tax in Connecticut and it is collected at closing. Your closing agent or attorney usually withholds the tax from your proceeds and remits it on your behalf. The tax is generally calculated on the total consideration for the transfer, which is often the sale price. In certain situations, assumed debt or other consideration can be part of the calculation.
There are exemptions and special cases. Transfers between certain parties, no‑consideration transfers, some court‑ordered transfers, and specific governmental transfers may be fully or partially exempt. Rules change over time, so you should verify details before you rely on any estimate.
Verify Weston rates and rules
Before you estimate your tax, confirm current rules and rates. Here is a simple approach:
Check the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) for the current state conveyance tax rate, definitions of consideration, exemptions, and filing instructions.
Confirm the Town of Weston’s municipal status. Visit the Town Clerk or Tax Collector pages, review town ordinances, or call to ask whether Weston levies a municipal conveyance tax and at what rate.
Ask your local closing agent, title company, or real estate attorney to confirm what will be collected at a Weston closing. They handle these transactions every day and can clarify town‑specific procedures.
Because municipalities can adopt, adjust, or repeal a local tax, it is important to verify both layers close to your listing or contract date.
Estimate your conveyance tax
Once you have the current state rate and Weston’s municipal rate, estimating is straightforward:
- Step 1: Confirm the state rate with DRS.
- Step 2: Confirm Weston’s municipal rate with the Town Clerk or Tax Collector.
- Step 3: Add the state and municipal rates to get one combined rate.
- Step 4: Multiply the sale price by the combined rate for an estimate.
- Step 5: Check whether any exemptions apply to your transfer.
If Weston does not levy a municipal tax, only the state rate would apply. If Weston does levy a municipal tax, your combined rate will be higher by that municipal percentage.
Example tax amounts
The following is for illustration only. These examples use a hypothetical combined rate of 0.75 percent. This is not Weston’s actual rate. Always verify the current municipal rate with the Town of Weston and confirm the state rate with DRS.
- Sale price $750,000 → Estimated conveyance tax = $5,625
- Sale price $1,000,000 → Estimated conveyance tax = $7,500
- Sale price $1,500,000 → Estimated conveyance tax = $11,250
- Sale price $2,000,000 → Estimated conveyance tax = $15,000
- Sale price $3,000,000 → Estimated conveyance tax = $22,500
Small changes in the municipal rate can materially change your total, especially at higher price points common in Weston. If the local rate were zero, your total would be lower. If the local rate were higher or lower than the example rate used here, your estimate would change accordingly.
Net proceeds worksheet
Your conveyance tax is one line in your closing costs. To see the full picture, use this simple framework:
- Net proceeds ≈ Sale price − seller closing costs − unpaid mortgage(s) − any liens
Typical seller closing costs include:
- Broker commission, often in the 5 to 6 percent range
- State and municipal conveyance taxes (verify both rates)
- Attorney or settlement fees, often $500 to $2,000 depending on complexity
- Title search and title insurance, which vary by price
- Recording and miscellaneous closing fees, often a few hundred dollars
- Prorations for property taxes or HOA dues based on the closing date
- Repairs, credits, or seller concessions, if any
Here are three example net scenarios using a hypothetical combined conveyance tax rate of 0.75 percent, a 5.5 percent broker commission, and $3,000 for other closing, title, and attorney fees. Mortgage payoff, prorations, concessions, repairs, and liens are not included here. These are examples only.
$1,000,000 sale:
- Broker commission (5.5 percent): $55,000
- Conveyance tax (0.75 percent): $7,500
- Other closing/title/attorney fees: $3,000
- Example net before mortgage payoff = $1,000,000 − $55,000 − $7,500 − $3,000 = $934,500
$1,500,000 sale:
- Broker commission: $82,500
- Conveyance tax: $11,250
- Other fees: $3,000
- Example net before mortgage payoff = $1,403,250
$2,500,000 sale:
- Broker commission: $137,500
- Conveyance tax: $18,750
- Other fees: $3,000
- Example net before mortgage payoff = $2,340,750
These examples show how the conveyance tax interacts with other costs. If Weston’s municipal tax differs from the example or if exemptions apply, your net will change. Your actual net also depends on your mortgage payoff, prorations for taxes, any agreed credits, and any outstanding liens.
What affects net proceeds
Several factors outside the example numbers can shift your bottom line:
- Mortgage payoff and prepayment terms. Your lender’s payoff statement will show the exact amount due through a specific date.
- Property tax timing. Prorations depend on your closing date and local billing cycles. In higher‑tax towns, prorations can be material.
- Credits and repairs. Negotiated credits, inspection repairs, and post‑inspection concessions impact the final number.
- Title and legal complexity. Title insurance premiums, recording fees, and attorney costs vary by provider and property.
- Exemptions and special conveyance rules. Certain transfers may qualify for exemptions that reduce or eliminate the conveyance tax.
Seller checklist
Use this quick checklist to get a precise, Weston‑ready estimate:
- Your expected contract or list price and your target closing window
- Your most recent mortgage statement for current balance and lender contact
- Any home equity loans or lines of credit with balances
- A summary of planned credits or repairs you may offer buyers
- Your property tax bill and HOA statement, if applicable
- A quick confirmation of the state conveyance rate from DRS
- A quick confirmation from the Town of Weston on the current municipal conveyance tax rate
- A call or email to your closing attorney or title company to validate what will be collected at closing
Local perspective for Weston sellers
If you are selling an upper‑middle or luxury single‑family home in Weston, precision matters. Small percentage shifts add up at higher price points. A verified conveyance tax rate, a realistic commission line item, and properly estimated closing fees will give you a confident pricing strategy and cleaner expectations when offers arrive.
You do not need to do this alone. A local, hands‑on agent can coordinate vendor prep, pricing strategy, and a clear net‑proceeds plan so you know where you will land before you sign. If you want an estimate tailored to your address and timing, reach out for a quick consult.
Looking for a concierge approach that blends local knowledge with professional marketing and clear, timely communication? Connect with Marlee Book to review your goals, confirm today’s Weston conveyance tax details, and build a pricing plan that sets you up for a smooth closing.
FAQs
What is the Connecticut conveyance tax in home sales?
- It is a transfer tax collected at closing on real property sales, with a state tax and a possible municipal tax that varies by town.
Who typically pays the conveyance tax in Weston closings?
- By custom in Connecticut the seller pays, and the closing agent or attorney collects the tax from seller proceeds and remits it.
How do I verify Weston’s municipal conveyance tax rate?
- Contact the Town of Weston’s Town Clerk or Tax Collector, review town ordinances, and confirm with your closing attorney or title company.
How is the conveyance tax calculated on a Weston sale?
- Multiply the sale price by the combined rate (state plus municipal), then adjust if any exemptions apply to your transfer.
Are there exemptions from the Connecticut conveyance tax?
- Yes, certain transfers like some no‑consideration transfers, specific court‑ordered transfers, or transfers to government entities may qualify, subject to DRS rules.
How much would I owe on a $1,000,000 Weston sale?
- Using a hypothetical combined rate of 0.75 percent for example only, the estimated tax would be $7,500; always confirm current rates before relying on an estimate.
When is the conveyance tax collected during closing?
- It is usually collected at settlement by the closing agent or attorney and paid out of the seller’s proceeds.
