Transfer Tax Increase Title Company Contacts 4 Months After I Sold House

[2nd Buyer]

My question involves real estate located in the State of: Pennsylvania.

Greetings,

I recently received the below email 4 months after selling my home from the title company.

A post-closing audit of the above reference file revealed that the Transfer Tax the City of Philadelphia debited from our account was greater than what you were charged at closing. Transfer Tax in Philadelphia increased for all documents they received for recording after 4pm on Friday June, 29th. The total Philadelphia Transfer Tax debited was $4,425.30 of which your 50% equals $2,212.65. On the enclosed ALTA Statement you were charged $2092.50 leaving a shortage of $120.15. I have enclosed a copy of the recording receipt as well. I ask that you remit a check in the amount of $120.15, to......... which represents your balance. I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this has caused. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. I cc'd my realtor on the email and she replied that she was informed that closing would be on time and was not made aware of a delay. The home was originally due to close on the 20th of June, but due to the buyer having issues withe the IRS, the closing had to be pushed back to June 29th. The title company sent a letter to my Godmother's address as an address was needed while I was in transition to purchasing my new home, I do not reside at that address and nothing should be sent to that address. I feel that I don't owe this money, as it is not my fault that the documents were not submitted in a timely manner and for the title company to contact me 4 months after the home was sold regarding this matter is unprofessional, and inappropriate. Is there anything that they can do to sue me to obtain these funds, or damage my credit, or worse. I appreciate any information that could be provided regarding this matter.

[Taxing Matters]

My question involves real estate located in the State of: Pennsylvania.

Greetings,

I recently received the below email 4 months after selling my home from the title company.

A post-closing audit of the above reference file revealed that the Transfer Tax the City of Philadelphia debited from our account was greater than what you were charged at closing. Transfer Tax in Philadelphia increased for all documents they received for recording after 4pm on Friday June, 29th. The total Philadelphia Transfer Tax debited was $4,425.30 of which your 50% equals $2,212.65. On the enclosed ALTA Statement you were charged $2092.50 leaving a shortage of $120.15. I have enclosed a copy of the recording receipt as well. I ask that you remit a check in the amount of $120.15, to......... which represents your balance. I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this has caused. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. I cc'd my realtor on the email and she replied that she was informed that closing would be on time and was not made aware of a delay. The home was originally due to close on the 20th of June, but due to the buyer having issues withe the IRS, the closing had to be pushed back to June 29th. The title company sent a letter to my Godmother's address as an address was needed while I was in transition to purchasing my new home, I do not reside at that address and nothing should be sent to that address. I feel that I don't owe this money, as it is not my fault that the documents were not submitted in a timely manner and for the title company to contact me 4 months after the home was sold regarding this matter is unprofessional, and inappropriate. Is there anything that they can do to sue me to obtain these funds, or damage my credit, or worse. I appreciate any information that could be provided regarding this matter.

The tax that the city imposes has to be paid, and the contracts and closing documents you signed are pretty much guaranteed to say that you and the buyer split the transfer tax (and a whole lot of other things). So it is very likely that you owe the title company for this. Stuff like this happens; you closed late because of buyer problems that had to be resolved. The tax rate increased as a result. Had it been caught at the time of the closing, you'd have had to pay it then. You are no worse off paying that $120.15 now. I see nothing unprofessional or inappropriate about what has occurred here. If you want to avoid dings to your your credit and possibly end up paying even more if this were to go to court (and yes, the title agent can sue you for it) then I suggest you just pay it

[budwad]

You sold a house for $442,500 and you are complaining about settling the transaction for $120.15.

I agree with TM. You risk a lawsuit and damage to your credit score for $120.15. It's your choice.

[adjusterjack]

Jeez, Buyer, get off your high horse.

You owe it, pay it.

[budwad]

You sold a house for $442,500 and you are complaining about settling the transaction for $120.15.

I agree with TM. You risk a lawsuit and damage to your credit score for $120.15. It's your choice.

If you are the buyer, then I misspoke that you were the seller. But the same situation applies. Pay the money and be done with it.