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A closing is scheduled for a $625,500 residential property in Springfield, Massachusetts. The purchase price does not divide evenly by $1,000, resulting in a fractional unit. How should the Massachusetts deed excise tax be calculated on the $500 fraction remaining after dividing by $1,000?

Correct Answer

A) The $500 fraction is rounded up to a full $1,000 unit and taxed at the full rate of $4.56, just like a complete $1,000 unit.

Under MGL Chapter 64D, the deed excise tax rate of $4.56 applies to each $1,000 'or fraction thereof' of the consideration. The phrase 'or fraction thereof' means that any amount remaining after dividing by $1,000 — no matter how small — is rounded up to a full $1,000 unit and taxed at the full $4.56 rate. For a $625,500 purchase: 625 full units × $4.56 = $2,850.00, plus 1 additional unit for the $500 fraction × $4.56 = $4.56, for a total of $2,854.56.

Answer Options
A
The $500 fraction is rounded up to a full $1,000 unit and taxed at the full rate of $4.56, just like a complete $1,000 unit.
B
The $500 fraction is taxed at the exact proportional rate of $2.28 only if it exceeds $499, otherwise it is disregarded.
C
The $500 fraction is ignored and the tax is calculated on $625,000 only, rounding down to the nearest $1,000.
D
The $500 fraction is taxed at half the full rate of $4.56, resulting in a charge of $2.28 for that portion.

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Key Terms:

deed_excise_taxtransfer_stampsfraction_thereofroundingMGL_chapter_64D
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