Transfer tax
Delaware charges a realty transfer tax split between state and local government. Who pays and how it applies to a gift with no consideration is confirmed when we prepare the deed. Where the tax falls on the grantee, it is ours.
Donate a house, farm parcel or beach property in Delaware, in all three counties
Delaware property specialists: (888) 228-7320
Donate Real Estate in Delaware
Delaware has three counties and one of the highest combined transfer tax rates in the country, split between the state and the municipality, which makes the exemption treatment of a gift worth getting right at recording. The property runs from Wilmington row houses to farm ground and beach communities in Sussex.
Fully IRS Compliant
We Handle the Paperwork
Form 8283 Done Right
501(c)(3) Recognized Charity
Delaware rules for a property donation
Federal tax rules are the same in every state. These three are set by Delaware and by the county where the property sits.
A high combined rate, so the exemption matters
Delaware combines a state realty transfer tax with a county or municipal share, and the total is high enough that the treatment of a transfer without consideration is worth settling before recording rather than arguing afterwards. We confirm the exemption and the wording with the recorder in advance.
Recording
Deeds are recorded with the county recorder of deeds for the county where the property sits. You sign before a notary wherever you live, and we handle the filing.
What Delaware owners call us about
Four situations across three counties.
A Wilmington row house below financing value
Sound brick housing where the roof and systems exceed what the finished house appraises for, leaving a cash buyer pool.
Farm ground under agricultural assessment
Kent and Sussex row crop and poultry ground held by heirs who moved away, with a rollback consideration if the use changes.
A beach house nobody can agree about
Sussex coastal property inherited by siblings with different plans and a shared tax and insurance bill.
A condo facing a capital assessment
Older coastal buildings funding roof, deck and siding work through assessments.
Delaware property we accept
Each links to the full guide for that type, including how a donation compares with selling.
Houses in DelawareRow houses, colonials, ranch houses and beach cottages.
Delaware landWooded parcels, ditch-drained farm land and infill lots.
Farm groundCorn, soybean and poultry ground in Kent and Sussex.
Commercial propertyMain street buildings, storefronts and small offices.
Industrial buildingsWarehouse and light manufacturing near the corridor.
Land contractsProperty sold on terms years ago. We take over the payments and deliver the deed at payoff.
What a donation looks like by region
Three counties, six distinct property situations.
Wilmington
Brick row houses, small multifamily buildings and lots between occupied properties.
Northern New Castle County
Post-war suburban housing and small commercial on older corridors.
Southern New Castle County
Farm ground on the development edge and rural housing.
Kent County
Row crop and poultry ground, Dover-area housing and small-town commercial.
Inland Sussex
Poultry operations, farm ground and towns whose markets depend on the beach economy.
The Sussex beaches
Coastal condos with assessments, rental cottages and flood-exposed lots.
Delaware real estate donation questions, answered
Is a donated deed subject to Delaware transfer tax?+
Delaware charges a realty transfer tax split between state and local government. Who pays and how it applies to a gift with no consideration is confirmed when we prepare the deed. Where the tax falls on the grantee, it is ours.
I live outside Delaware. Do I have to travel there to sign?+
No. We prepare the deed in the form Delaware requires for the county where the property sits, you sign before a notary where you live, and we record it with the county recorder of deeds.
Delaware transfer tax is high. Who pays it on a gift?+
That is exactly why the exemption treatment is settled before recording. Where a transfer without consideration is exempt, it is claimed on the deed; where the tax falls on the grantee, we pay it. We do not leave it to be worked out at the counter.
Does Delaware give a state tax deduction for a property donation?+
Delaware has a state income tax, and how it treats a charitable contribution is set by Delaware law rather than by us. Your federal deduction follows the usual IRS rules. Take the state question to your own advisor.
The beach house is in four names and we do not agree. What can be done?+
More than most families expect. Sometimes all owners convey together, sometimes an individual undivided share can be given on its own. Tell us how the deed reads and who is willing.
We do not provide tax or legal advice. State and local transfer tax rules change; we confirm current requirements when we prepare each deed. Consult your own advisor.
Tell us about your Delaware property and we will review it
The county and a parcel number are enough to start.