Stamped on a Warranty Deed or Quit Claim Deed, a tax stamp shows the amount of revenue. Revenue is based on the sale amount, so it is necessary to either put the sale amount on the face of the document, or supply an affidavit showing the sale amount.
A levy paid to the local government for registration of a document (a deed or mortgage) in the public records, often calculated as a percentage of the purchase price or the value of the mortgage.
A tax levied by some local or state governments at the time the deeds and mortgages are entered into public record. For our comparison purposes, documentary stamps are considered to be a tax and other unavoidable fee.