Assessor

Property taxes are a lien on the property. If the above happens, you would in effect be purchasing a tax lien along with the manufactured home. To ensure this does not happen to you, you should contact the Delinquent Tax Office (843-549-5433) to verify if the taxes are current and make sure that you are not inheriting unpaid delinquent taxes before you purchase the manufactured home.

Your construction cost may or may not reflect the current market value of your property. It is only one element that is considered. Assessments are based on fair market value of the property not on the cost of the construction whether you did the work yourself or hired a contractor. Most residential improvements are based on what is known as contributory value. This contributory value is not based on cost, but rather the added value it "contributes" to the overall worth of the property. Cost estimates from three builders may range from $75-$85 per square foot. IF you decided to build or subcontract the construction project yourself, your construction cost may be between $65 to $70 per square foot. The Assessor must provide an opinion of market value.

The property owner must present sufficient and credible evidence to establish that the lot is not buildable. The Assessor will accept an official finding from DHEC (Dept. of Health and Environmental Control) since this is the State agency authorized to and charged with the responsibility to promulgate regulations relating to septic tank systems.

NO! If you agree that the appraised value of your property is correct, then you have no basis for an appeal. Mill levies are set each year by taxing authorities. The mill levy determines amounts of each tax bill that goes to schools, fire districts, water and sanitation districts, governmental agencies, and other special districts.

Most County offices are closed for the following holidays:

• New Year's Day (January1)
• Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday (Third Monday in January)
• Presidents' Day (Third Monday in February)
• Confederate Memorial Day (May 10)
• Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
• Independence Day (July 4)
• Labor Day (First Monday in September)
• Veteran’s Day
• Thanksgiving Day (Fourth Thursday in November)
• Day after Thanksgiving (Fourth Friday in November)
• Christmas Day (December 25)
• Day after Christmas (December 26)

County offices providing emergency and/or public safety functions remain open on holidays.

It is the responsibility of the property owner to notify the Assessor's Office of any change in mailing address. To protect the taxpayer from an erroneous address change, the address used by the Assessor's Office will not be changed without the property owner's written consent.  For your convenience, you may download a Mailing Address Change Form from this site, complete and mail. Every year many people do not receive the notices the Treasurer sends because they have not kept us advised of their changed addresses. Don't let this happen to you!

The tax statement may either be forwarded on to the purchaser or returned to the Treasurer's Office. If you choose to return the statement please note the purchaser's name and address. 

The tax bill will bear the name of the assessed owner as of December 31. If you receive a tax bill for the sold property, please forward it to the new owner since the new or current owner is responsible for all taxes once the sale is finalized. 

The assessor inspects property once every five years, according to the State mandated Assessor's revaluation plan as approved by the South Carolina State Department of Revenue. If property is inspected more often it could be the result of one or a combination of the following:

• New Construction (with or without a building permit) value added to property
• Renovation and modernization
• Board of Equalization or State Board of Tax Appeal
• Appraisal Review
• Sales Verification
• Segregation of Property
• Changing highest and best use (i.e. residential to commercial)

Your mortgage company usually pays your property taxes. Property owners whose mortgage company pays the property taxes may NOT receive a tax bill. If you receive a bill, it is your responsibility to forward it to your mortgage company for payment. The property owner is responsible to make sure that the mortgage company has paid the property taxes owed.

Once every fifth year, each county in South Carolina must reassess the properties under its jurisdiction. Counties are on a staggered reassessment schedule. The Assessor must notify every person who is listed as the property owner as of December 31 of the prior year of any change in value or classification if the change is $1,000 dollars or more. In the fifth year, the County shall implement the reassessment program and assess all property on the newly appraised values.

If you own a residence and live in it as your primary place of residency, you want to be sure to obtain the 4% assessment ratio.  All properties that are not owner-occupied will be assessed at a 6% assessment ratio. To obtain the 4% assessment rate, you or your agent will need to complete a legal residence application and file with the county assessor. This should be done as soon as your deed or bond-for-title is recorded and you move into your home, but may be filed anytime before the first penalty date, when taxes are due (January 15). If a person signs the legal residence certification, obtains the 4% assessment rate, and is thereafter found not eligible, or loses eligibility and fails to notify the assessor within six months, a penalty is imposed equal to one hundred percent of the tax paid, plus interest on that amount at the rate of one-half of one percent a month, but in no case less than $30 nor more than the current year's taxes.