Florida-specific taxes at closing
- Deed doc stamps: In every Florida county except Miami-Dade, the documentary stamp tax on a deed is 70 cents per $100 (or portion) of the price.
- Mortgage doc stamps: A recorded mortgage is taxed at 35 cents per $100 of the amount borrowed, with no cap.
- Intangible tax: A one-time tax of 2 mills (0.2%) on loans secured by Florida real estate. The lender owes it but may pass it on to the borrower.
Sources: Florida Dept. of Revenue: Documentary Stamp Tax; Florida Dept. of Revenue: Nonrecurring Intangible Tax; Florida Statutes §199.133 (2 mills).
Who pays what?
Under state law, all parties to the document are liable for the doc stamp tax, no matter who agrees to pay it. In practice, the purchase contract spells out who pays each cost, and that’s negotiable. I’ll go over every line with you before you sign.
A St. Lucie County example
| Item (median-priced county home) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sale price (Redfin county median, Sep 2026) | $384,140 |
| Deed doc stamps ($0.70 / $100) | ≈ $2,689 |
| Mortgage doc stamps on an 80% loan ($307,312 × $0.35 / $100) | ≈ $1,076 |
| Intangible tax on that loan (0.2%) | ≈ $615 |
Illustration only. Price: Redfin St. Lucie County. Title insurance, settlement, lender, recording, and prepaid items vary and aren’t shown. Ask your title company or lender for exact figures.
Other common closing costs
Buyers often see lender fees, appraisal, inspections, title insurance, recording fees, and prepaid taxes and insurance. Sellers often see payoff of their existing loan, title charges, and any agreed concessions. Your Loan Estimate and settlement statement list the exact amounts.
More questions people ask
What is the doc stamp tax rate in St. Lucie County?
St. Lucie County uses the statewide rate: 70 cents per $100 of consideration on deeds, and 35 cents per $100 on mortgages, per the Florida Department of Revenue. Only Miami-Dade has a different deed rate.
Run the numbers
Talk to Isaiah
Closing costs look different for buyers and sellers, and they move with the price and the loan. Send me the price of a home you’re considering anywhere on the Treasure Coast and I’ll walk you through each line.
Answered by Isaiah James, a licensed Florida real estate agent. A real person, not a chatbot.
Isaiah James · Coldwell Banker Realty