Georgia Intangible Recording Tax Calculator

How the tax is calculated

The rate is $1.50 for each $500 of the note, or fractional part — an effective rate of 0.3%. Because the fractional part rounds up, a $280,100 note and a $280,500 note pay the same. The tax is capped at $25,000 per instrument, which is reached at a note of roughly $8.33 million.

Who pays it

The tax is imposed on the holder of the note — the lender — and is paid when the security deed is recorded. In practice lenders pass it through to the borrower, so it usually lands on the borrower's side of the settlement statement as a closing cost.

What is exempt

• Short-term notes. No principal due more than 62 months from the note date.
• The amount above the cap. Tax stops at $25,000 per instrument.
• Certain government-related instruments, which we review file by file.

A refinance is not automatically exempt — a new long-term note generally owes the tax on its own face amount. If you are refinancing, our net sheet and a call to the office will give you the real number.