Bakersfield is located in Kern County, California. The applicable transfer tax is the California Documentary Transfer Tax at $1.10 per $1,000 of the sale price (0.11%), collected by Kern County at deed recording. The City of Bakersfield does not impose a separate municipal transfer tax. To calculate your tax, simply multiply the sale price by 0.0011.
By local custom in Bakersfield and Kern County, the seller typically pays the documentary transfer tax, though the obligation is negotiable. The final allocation between buyer and seller is determined by the purchase agreement and escrow instructions. Buyers and sellers should confirm payment responsibility before closing.
Certain real estate transfers in Bakersfield may qualify for an exemption from the Documentary Transfer Tax. Common exemptions include transfers between spouses or domestic partners, gifts with no consideration, transfers to or from a revocable living trust where the transferor remains a beneficiary, and qualifying corporate reorganizations. Consult a local real estate attorney or title company to determine if your transaction qualifies for an exemption.