What is a Real Estate Excise Tax, and who is responsible for the payment of such?
Real Estate Excise Tax, also known as Revenue Stamps, is imposed by North Carolina law (G.S. §105-228.28) and collected by the Register Of Deeds at the time of recording. The tax is levied on conveyances of an interest in real estate by all persons and organizations except federal, state, county, and municipal governments and their instrumentalities. The transferor (grantor, seller) buys the tax stamp from the Register Of Deeds of the county in which the land that is being sold lies. The rate of tax is $2 on each $1,000, or fractional part thereof, on the consideration or value of the interest or property conveyed. It is a misdemeanor for any transferor or his agent to willfully and knowingly fail to pay the correct amount of the tax, or for anyone to aid, abet, or direct any other persons to fail to pay.
