Tax Exemptions

About Legal Residence

South Carolina Code of Laws 12-43-220 (c)(1) states the Legal Residence exemption applies to owner-occupied homes, reducing the assessment ratio from 6% to 4%, and exempting the school operating millage, this significantly lowers property taxes.

• Eligibility depends on meeting residency and ownership requirements.

Application

Homeowners must submit a Legal Residence application to their county assessor, typically by the first penalty date of the current year’s tax notice.

 Declare Legal Residence in Richland County

About Homestead

The Homestead exempts the first $50,000 of appraised value of your primary home. To qualify, one of the requirements below must be met: 

Age: 65 on or before December 31, preceding year of application.

• If you own real estate jointly with a spouse, only one is required to be 65 years of age.
• You will need proof of age (driver’s license or birth certificate).
• If the property is jointly owned, please bring or mail the spouse’s date of birth.

Disability: You must be totally and permanently disabled.

• You will need to present documentation from the state or Social Security certifying the disability.

Blindness:

• Certified by a licensed ophthalmologist or a letter from the Commission for the Blind.

Questions regarding eligibility status and application procedures should be directed to 803-576-2610 or 803-576-2611.

Homestead Application

If you received a request to upload additional documents for your application, use the link below.

Resubmit Homestead Documents

About Agricultural Use

South Carolina Code of Laws 12-43-220(d )(1) describes reduced property tax rates for properties primarily used for agriculture.

Applications and appeals can be filed by a representative holding a valid Power of Attorney (POA).

Application

Property owners must file an Agricultural Use application with supporting documentation, such as proof of agricultural activity.

Apply for Agricultural Use Exemption

Appeals

Denied applications can be appealed through the appropriate local process. 

RollBack Tax

Additional taxes are applied when agricultural land is converted to non-agricultural use. These are calculated based on the difference between agricultural and market value for up to three prior years.

About Assessable Transfer of Interest (ATI)

South Carolina Code of Laws 12-37-3135 allows certain property owners to retain a lower assessment following an assessable transfer of interest. The property must be assessed at 6% when the ATI occurs.

Definitions as used in this section of SC Code of Laws:

• ATI fair market value – what the property is worth when it was last sold or transferred in a way that triggers a tax reassessment.
• Current fair market value – what the property is worth this year according to the county’s tax records.
• Exemption value – the ATI value minus a discount (the exemption).
• Fair market value – the price the property would likely sell for, based on an appraisal.
• Property tax value – the value used to figure out your property taxes, which can be lower than the full market value due to limits in the law.

Property Tax Break (Exemption)

If a property is assessed at the 6% rate and undergoes an Assessable Transfer of Interest, the new owner can get up to a 25% discount off the ATI value.

• At the time of the ATI the property must be subject to the 6% assessment ratio. Properties that are tax exempt, have Legal Residence or under jurisdiction of SC DOR do not qualify.
• This discount only applies if the ATI value is more than the current fair market value.
• If the ATI value is less than the current fair market value, the exemption is not applicable, and taxes are based on the ATI value.

Important Deadlines

• To receive the discount, the owner (or their agent) must tell the County Assessor before January 31 of the first year they are eligible for the discount.
• If they miss the initial deadline, they have 90 days after receiving a reassessment notice to apply for that tax year.
• If both deadlines are missed, the discount starts the next tax year.
• Annual reapplication is not required.

Application

Apply for Assessable Transfer of Interest (ATI) Exemption

Property owners must file an ATI Exemption application with the County Assessor, providing all required documentation.

• Due before January 31st in year following sale, or 90 days after reassessment notice is sent notifying tax payer of increase in value due to Assessable Transfer of Interest.

About Builder Discount

South Carolina Code of Laws 12-37-220(A) (51) provides for an exemption to builders or developers for 100% of the value of a new detached single-family house that they’re selling.

The tax break lasts until:

• The house is sold or someone moves in, or
• Six years after a certificate of occupancy is issued. 

Application

Builder/Developer Tax Exemption Application(PDF, 87KB)

Initial application must be applied for within 30 days of receiving a certificate of occupancy. After which Builders must apply annually by January 31 with supporting evidence of unsold properties.

About Homeowners Association (HOA)

South Carolina Code of Laws 12-43-227 states that Homeowners Associations (HOAs) may qualify for exemptions of reduced property values on common areas or properties used for the benefit of residents. This rate is $500 per acre and $500 for each improvement.

Application

HOA Exemption Form(DOC, 74KB)

• Application must be received by the County Assessor before January 15 for the prior tax year.
• Failure to apply constitutes a waiver of special valuation for that year.
• The property must be recorded in the HOA’s name by December 31 of the year that the special valuation is being applied.

About Multi-lot Discount

South Carolina’s Multi-Lot Discount (MLD), South Carolina Code of Laws 12-43-225, allows developers and builders who own multiple unsold and unimproved residential lots within a development to apply for a reduced property valuation.

Application

An Multi-lot Discount application must be submitted to the Assessor’s Office, including evidence of unsold and unimproved lots.

• Initial application must be made by May 1 in the year the lots are first on the record.
• Any future owner must apply within 60 days of the date of purchase.

Apply for Multi-lot Discount

About South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR)

The South Carolina Department of Revenue determines if any property (real or personal) qualifies for exemption from ad valorem taxes that are found in SC Code Section 12-37-220.

Approved exemptions are reported to local county officials monthly and annually. Exemptions are strictly construed in South Carolina. Each individual or organization must meet all requirements as outlined in South Carolina law.

Real property for individuals may include:

• land and buildings,
• buildings,
• mobile homes, or
• land and mobile homes.

Real property for organizations includes all of the above as well as land taxed solely.

Personal property for individuals may include:

• automobiles,
• motor homes,
• motorcycles,
• vans,
• SUVs,
• trucks,
• low-speed vehicles, or
• mopeds.

Personal property for organizations includes all of the above including furniture fixtures and equipment, buses, and ambulances.

Application

Visit SCDOR for application links for individuals or organizations.

South Carolina Department of Revenue Exemptions

About

If your vehicle has high mileage or significant damage which makes it less valuable than average vehicles of the same make and year, you may appeal the assessed valuation.

High mileage requirements by vehicle's year:

• 2011: 190,001
• 2012: 175,001
• 2013: 160,001
• 2014: 145,001
• 2015: 130,001
• 2016: 115,001
• 2017: 100,001
• 2018: 90,001
• 2019: 80,001
• 2020: 60,001
• 2021: 50,001
• 2022: 40,001
• 2023: 30,001
• 2024: 18,001
• 2025: 9,001

One of the following must be submitted for an appeal:

• Documentation indicating the vehicle's mileage such as a service/repair receipt (oil change, tire rotation, etc).
• Consideration will be given to an appeal if you provide a current appraisal (retail value) by a dealer of the same make vehicle.

Appeals must be submitted annually.

How to Apply for High Mileage Exemption

High Mileage Application

Additional application methods include:

Mail
Richland County Auditor
P.O. Box 192
Columbia, SC 29202

Fax
803-576-2605
for information call 803-576-2600

Email
rcauditor@richlandcountysc.gov

If you do not agree with the revised appraisal, you must submit an appeal within 30 days to the Administrative Law Court.

Appeal Denial Form(PDF, 108KB)

SC Code of Law 12-60-2920

Antique motor vehicles are exempt from property tax; “a motor vehicle licensed and registered as an antique motor vehicle pursuant to Article 23, Chapter 3 of Title 56.”

These vehicles must be used for exhibition only and at car shows and cannot be driven on the street.

This became effective as of June 2006 and is not retroactive.

About South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR)

The South Carolina Department of Revenue determines if any property (real or personal) qualifies for exemption from ad valorem taxes that are found in SC Code Section 12-37-220.

Approved exemptions are reported to local county officials monthly and annually. Exemptions are strictly construed in South Carolina. Each individual or organization must meet all requirements as outlined in South Carolina law.

Real property for individuals may include:

• land and buildings,
• buildings,
• mobile homes, or
• land and mobile homes.

Real property for organizations includes all of the above as well as land taxed solely.

Personal property for individuals may include:

• automobiles,
• motor homes,
• motorcycles,
• vans,
• SUVs,
• trucks,
• low-speed vehicles, or
• mopeds.

Personal property for organizations includes all of the above including furniture fixtures and equipment, buses, and ambulances.

Application

Visit SCDOR for application links for individuals or organizations.

South Carolina Department of Revenue Exemptions