When taxes are due depends on the type of property being taxed.
For motor vehicle (or car) and watercraft taxes, the taxes are due in the month that your registration decal expires.
If the taxes are not paid by the due date, they will accrue a delinquent collections fee and may be turned over to a collection agency, and registration suspended until payment is received. You may also be charged late fees and penalties by South Carolina of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
For all other property types, taxes are due by January 15. After that date, penalties begin to accrue on the dates listed below, up to 15% of the original balance due. However, an account does not become delinquent, as defined by South Carolina State Law, until March 19.
January 17 - A 3% penalty is applied to the current year taxes due.
February 2 - A 10% penalty is applied to the current year taxes due.
March 19 - A 15% penalty is applied to the current year taxes due.
April 1 - A fee of $250 is applied and delinquent tax bills are generated in accordance with South Carolina State Statute 12-51-40(a). If a property has multiple owners additional fees may be applied.
September 1 - A fee of $150 is applied to the current year taxes due.
After a property becomes delinquent, it is assigned to a delinquent collections program based on the type of property and entity owning the property, among other criteria.
Helpful Hints!
We're required to send multiple correspondences during the delinquency process. Please make sure your mailing address is kept up to date with our Office.
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