Vehicle Tax

Important Dates to Know

Tax payers are encouraged to notice their decal expiration date.

  • You must pay vehicle taxes every year before renewing your license plate.
  • Taxes are due by the last day of the month your decal expires.
  • Decals are renewed every year.
  • Tag registrations are renewed every two years.

Pay Taxes

Getting Your License Plate Sticker

If you pay by mail, at a Synovus bank, online or at a kiosk, your sticker will come from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) within 7-10 business days.

  • Make sure your address is correct, and you’ve provided insurance info, if needed.

If you're late, go to a SCDMV office with your paid tax receipt. You may be charged a late fee by the SCDMV if your bill included their renewal fee.

If your sticker doesn’t arrive, contact SCDMV at 803-896-5000 or visit the SCDMV website.

Your Questions Answered

Didn't Get a Tax Bill

If you didn’t receive your bill, it may be because:

  • You didn’t update your address with the SC Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV).
  • SCDMV did not send updated vehicle info to the County.

Call the Auditor’s Office at 803-576-2600 (option 1) to get a current bill.

Change Address on Tax Bill

  1. Call the Auditor’s Office at 803-576-2600 (option 1) to update your address only on a current unpaid bill.
  2. You must also follow up with the change at the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.

Received a Tax Bill for a Sold Car

SCDMV may not have processed your sale yet. If they didn’t update ownership within 90 days, you might still get a bill.

Why You Might Owe Two Years of Taxes

When you buy a car from a dealer, the dealer may get your tags without paying local taxes. At the time of purchase, you only paid state sales tax. The County sends a tax bill 120 days later from the purchase date. If unpaid, it will also be due the next year.

Late Fees and DMV Charges

Richland County doesn’t charge late fees, but SCDMV may if your tag isn’t renewed on time.

Registration Suspension Notice

If you bought from a dealer and didn’t pay your tax bill after 120 days, the County must report you to the DMV. Your registration is suspended until taxes are paid.

Auditor

Paul Brawley is the Richland County Auditor.

Phone

803-576-2600

Fax

803-576-2605

Email

Auditor's Office

Location

2020 Hampton St.
Ste. 2067
Columbia, SC 29204

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 192
Columbia, SC 29202

Office Hours

Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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