San Rafael Measure W would raise property transfer tax fivefold to fund city services

San Rafael Measure W would raise property transfer tax fivefold to fund city services

San Rafael voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to raise the city’s real estate property transfer tax from 0.2% to 1%, a change projected to generate an additional $6 million annually for public safety, infrastructure and other city services. A transfer tax is a one-time charge paid when real estate changes hands, unlike annual property taxes. Under current law, San Rafael collects $2 for every $1,000 of a property’s sale price. Measure W, if appro…