state tax

South Carolina State Tax Guide

State tax rates and rules for income, sales, property, fuel, cigarette, and other taxes that impact South Carolina residents.

June 23, 2022

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Bottom Line

Middle-Class Families: Tax-Friendly (Go to the Kiplinger Tax Map for Middle-Class Families)
Retirees: Most Tax-Friendly (Go to the Kiplinger Tax Map for Retirees)

The Palmetto State boasts one of the lowest median property tax rates in the country. That's the driving force behind South Carolina's low tax burden.

Many working-class residents will likely find themselves in the state's highest income bracket (which is going down), but retirees fair much better thanks to a collection of income tax breaks aimed at seniors.

Unfortunately, sales taxes are on the high end in South Carolina, with an average combined state and local rate of 7.44%.

South Carolina Income Taxes

South Carolina Income Tax Range

Low: 3% (on taxable income from $3,200 to $16,039)

High: 6.5% (on taxable income over $16,039)

Beginning with the 2023 tax year, and each year thereafter until it equals 6%, the top rate will decrease by 0.1% if general fund revenues are projected to increase by at least 5% in the fiscal year that begins during the tax year.

South Carolina Taxation of Social Security Benefits

Social Security benefits are not taxed by the state.

South Carolina Tax Breaks for Other Retirement Income

Taxpayers age 65 or older can exclude up to $10,000 of retirement income (up to $3,000 for taxpayers under 65). Joint filers can each claim the exemption.

Taxpayers age 65 or older can also deduct $15,000 ($30,000 for joint filers) from all taxable income. However, the deduction must be reduced by the amount of retirement income otherwise excluded.

Military retirement income and Railroad Retirement benefits are fully exempt.

South Carolina Sales Tax

6% state levy. Localities can add as much as 3%, and the average combined rate is 7.44%, according to the Tax Foundation.

Groceries: Exempt
Clothing: Taxable
Motor Vehicles: Exempt from ordinary sales tax, but taxable under special 5% (up to $500) infrastructure maintenance fee
Prescription Drugs: Exempt

South Carolina Real Property Taxes

In South Carolina, the median property tax rate is $566 per $100,000 of assessed home value.

South Carolina Property Tax Breaks for Retirees

For homeowners 65 and older, the state's homestead exemption allows the first $50,000 of a property's fair market value to be exempt from local property taxes. To qualify, you must have been at least 65 years old and a legal resident of South Carolina for one year, as of December 31 of the year preceding the tax year the exemption is claimed.