AK · #48 by population

Buying a home in Alaska

Costs and rules that are specific to Alaska. Main city: Anchorage.

In short

Alaska has no real estate transfer tax, does not require an attorney at closing and requires a seller disclosure form. It allows both court and out-of-court foreclosure and lets couples opt in to community property.

Calculate for Alaska

If you buy

Alaska state transfer tax

Alaska has no real estate transfer tax. Change the price: the amount is recalculated instantly.

Price$376,500
State transfer tax$0
Share of the price—

Default price: the Alaska median value of owner-occupied homes, $376,500 (Census ACS 2024). Rule: No transfer tax exists at state level. Who pays: Nobody pays a transfer tax. The purchase contract decides who pays other closing costs. Not included: county and city transfer taxes, recording fees, title insurance and lender charges. Alaska transfer tax guide · all 50 states.

If you sell

Capital gain and the federal tax on it

Same federal rule in every state: Section 121 of the Internal Revenue Code excludes up to $250,000 of gain on a main home ($500,000 for a married couple filing jointly).

Capital gain$350,000
Section 121 exclusion$250,000 (limit $250,000)
Taxable gain$100,000
Type of gainLong-term (owned over 1 year), 15% chosen
Federal tax on the gain$15,000

Section 121 excludes $250,000; the rest is taxable.

Gain = sale price minus your adjusted basis (purchase price, buying costs and improvements); selling expenses reduce it (IRS Publication 523). Long-term rates for sales in 2026, by taxable income including the gain (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32, section 4.03): 0% up to $49,450 single or $98,900 married filing jointly, 15% up to $545,500 single or $613,700 jointly, 20% above. Not included: Alaska state income tax on the gain (not computed), the net investment income tax, depreciation recapture on a rental or home office, and the reduced exclusion for an early sale. Agent commissions are negotiated and never set by law. Capital gains on a home sale.

Alaska in short

Is there a real estate transfer tax in Alaska?

Alaska has no real estate transfer tax. State law (AS 43.98.035) bars a sales or use tax on the transfer of real property, and boroughs and cities are barred too. A deed costs a recording fee of $20 for the first page and $5 for each added page.

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What closing costs does Alaska law set?

Alaska has no official typical closing-cost total. It charges no transfer tax (AS 43.98.035), and recording a deed costs $20 for the first page and $5 for each additional page.

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How is property tax calculated in Alaska?

Alaska has no state property tax on homes. Municipalities levy it at full and true value as of January 1.

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What is the deadline to appeal a property tax assessment in Alaska?

In Anchorage, Alaska, you have 30 days from the date the assessment notice was mailed to file a written appeal with a refundable deposit, evidence is due within 45 days, and only the value (not the tax amount or mill rate) can be appealed.

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Do you need a real estate attorney to close in Alaska?

Alaska does not require an attorney to buy or sell a home: a title insurance company may hold the escrow and run the closing (AS 21.66.180), and licensed real estate agents may prepare purchase contracts (AS 08.88.405).

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What must a home seller disclose in Alaska?

An Alaska seller must deliver a completed written disclosure statement (form 08-4229) before the buyer makes a written offer (AS 34.70.010). If it arrives after the offer, the buyer may withdraw within 3 days, or 6 days if mailed.

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How does foreclosure work in Alaska?

Most Alaska foreclosures are non-judicial trustee's sales under a deed of trust, with the notice of default recorded at least 30 days after the default and at least 90 days before the sale, so the earliest sale is about 120 days after the default.

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What first-time home buyer programs does Alaska offer?

Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) offers two first-time buyer loans, First Home Limited and First Home, with 30-year rates of 6.750% and 7.125% on October 13, 2026. In Anchorage, First Home Limited requires income of $135,100 or less for one or two people in non-targeted areas.

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Is Alaska a community property state?

Alaska is not a community property state by default. Spouses can opt in with a community property agreement or trust under AS 34.77. Otherwise married buyers hold title as tenants by the entirety.

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Which natural hazards affect home insurance in Alaska?

Standard Alaska homeowners policies generally exclude earthquake and flood damage. Earthquake cover is a separate policy or endorsement with a deductible usually 10% of dwelling coverage (the Division says it may reach 20%).

Full Alaska guide

How much tax when you sell a home in Alaska?

The federal rule is the same in Alaska as in every state: if you owned and lived in the home as your main home for at least 2 of the last 5 years, the first $250,000 of gain is excluded, $500,000 for a married couple filing jointly (Section 121, IRS Publication 523). Bought $400,000, sold $750,000: a single owner has $100,000 of taxable gain, $15,000 of federal tax at the 15% long-term rate; a couple filing jointly owes nothing. Alaska income tax on the gain is not computed here.

Capital gains on a home sale

Alaska guides

Anchorage

Buying a home in Anchorage, Alaska

Professionals in Alaska

All states · Federal guides