A transfer tax is a direct tax that is paid when title to property is transferred. Transfer taxes are usually limited to forms of property where there is some legal requirement for registration of the transfer, such as real estate, shares or bonds. Examples include forms of stamp duty, property transfer tax , and levies for the formal registration of a transfer. In some jurisdictions, transfers of certain forms of property require confirmation by a notary: the notary's fees can be considered a form of transfer tax, although they are not payable to a governmental tax authority.

Transfer taxes should be distinguised from other taxes that are paid when capital is transferred from one person to another, such as inheritance tax, capital transfer tax or estate tax.