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South Carolina Income Tax Calculator

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Overview of South Carolina Taxes

South Carolina has a progressive income tax. The state has some of the lowest property and gas taxes in the nation. South Carolina’s total sales tax (state and local) ranks in the top 20 in the U.S.

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Household Income
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IRA Contribution
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Itemized Deductions
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Number of State Personal Exemptions
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Your Income Taxes Breakdown

Tax Type Marginal 
Tax Rate
Effective 
Tax Rate
2023 
Taxes*
Federal
FICA
State
Local
Total Income Taxes
Income After Taxes
Retirement Contributions
Take-Home Pay

* These are the taxes owed for the 2023 - 2024 filing season.

Your 2023 Federal Income Tax Comparison

  • Your marginal federal income tax rate
  • Your effective federal income tax rate
  • Your federal income taxes

Total Estimated 2023 Tax Burden

Income Tax $
Sales Tax $
Fuel Tax $
Property Tax$
Total Estimated Tax Burden $
Percent of income to taxes = %
$
  • About This Answer

    Our income tax calculator calculates your federal, state and local taxes based on several key inputs: your household income, location, filing status and number of personal exemptions.

    How Income Taxes Are Calculated

    • First, we calculate your adjusted gross income (AGI) by taking your total household income and reducing it by certain items such as contributions to your 401(k).
    • Next, from AGI we subtract exemptions and deductions (either itemized or standard) to get your taxable income. Exemptions can be claimed for each taxpayer as well as dependents such as one’s spouse or children.
    • Based on your filing status, your taxable income is then applied to the the tax brackets to calculate your federal income taxes owed for the year.
    • Your location will determine whether you owe local and / or state taxes.
    ...read more
  • Last Updated: January 1, 2024

    When Do We Update? - We regularly check for any updates to the latest tax rates and regulations.

    Customer Service - If you would like to leave any feedback, feel free to email info@smartasset.com.

    ...read more
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Taxes in South Carolina

South Carolina State Tax Quick Facts

  • Income tax: 0% - 7%
  • Sales tax: 6% - 9%
  • Property tax: 0.52% average effective rate
  • Gas tax: 28 cents per gallon of regular gasoline and diesel

With its sandy beaches and warm weather, South Carolina can be an attractive choice for outsiders looking to relocate. The state’s license plates read, “Smiling Faces, Beautiful Places,” but is the tax system in the Palmetto State as welcoming to newcomers as the scenery and people? The answer depends on the specifics of your situation.

While South Carolina’s top income tax of 7% is one of the highest in the country, the bottom rate is the lowest. The state also has some of the lowest property and gas taxes in the country, but its total sales tax, when including local rates, ranks in the top 20 across the country.

A financial advisor can help you understand how taxes fit into your overall financial goals. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

South Carolina Income Taxes

Like the federal income tax, the South Carolina state income tax applies marginal tax rates based on income tax brackets. So as income increases to higher brackets, so does the percentage of income you pay in taxes. The table below shows the tax rates for all income earners in South Carolina. Note that South Carolina does not differentiate between filing statuses such as single, married filing jointly or head of household. These tax brackets apply regardless of your filing status.

Income Tax Brackets

All Filers
South Carolina Taxable IncomeRate
$0 - $3,1100%
$3,110 - $6,2203%
$6,220 - $9,3304%
$9,330 - $12,4405%
$12,440 - $15,5606%
$15,560+7%

These tax rates apply to South Carolina taxable income, which is equal to your federal taxable income, with a few exceptions. The following commonly claimed federal itemized deductions cannot be claimed in South Carolina and must be added back to South Carolina taxable income: state and local taxes, out-of-state losses, expenses related to reserve income and interest income. Taxpayers who claimed the federal standard deduction will receive the same deduction on their South Carolina income taxes.

There are also some adjustments that will reduce your South Carolina taxable income. These include subtractions for out-of-state rental or business income, contributions to the SC College Investment Program (or Tuition Repayment Program), interest from U.S. obligations (savings bonds, treasury notes, etc.) and Social Security income. Consider looking into online tax software to help file your tax returns.

South Carolina Sales Tax

If you want to make a purchase in South Carolina, you’ll need to pay state and local sales taxes. The state sales tax rate is 6%, which is about average for U.S states. However, South Carolina counties can elect to have a “local option tax” on general sales. The table below shows the state and local sales tax rates for all 46 South Carolina counties:

Sales Tax Rates(Updated January 2022)

County NameState RateTax Rate
Abbeville County6.00%8.00%
Aiken County6.00%8.00%
Allendale County6.00%8.00%
Anderson County6.00%8.00%
Bamberg County6.00%8.00%
Barnwell County6.00%8.00%
Beaufort County6.00%9.00%
Berkeley County6.00%9.00%
Calhoun County6.00%8.00%
Charleston County6.00%9.00%
Cherokee County6.00%8.00%
Chester County6.00%8.00%
Chesterfield County6.00%8.00%
Clarendon County6.00%8.00%
Colleton County6.00%8.00%
Darlington County6.00%8.00%
Dillon County6.00%8.00%
Dorchester County6.00%9.00%
Edgefield County6.00%8.00%
Fairfield County6.00%8.00%
Florence County6.00%8.00%
Georgetown County6.00%8.00%
Greenville County6.00%8.00%
Greenwood County6.00%8.00%
Hampton County6.00%9.00%
Horry County6.00%9.00%
Jasper County6.00%9.00%
Kershaw County6.00%8.00%
Lancaster County6.00%8.00%
Laurens County6.00%8.00%
Lee County6.00%8.00%
Lexington County6.00%8.00%
Marion County6.00%8.00%
Marlboro County6.00%8.00%
Mccormick County6.00%8.00%
Newberry County6.00%8.00%
Oconee County6.00%7.00%
Orangeburg County6.00%8.00%
Pickens County6.00%7.00%
Richland County6.00%8.00%
Saluda County6.00%8.00%
Spartanburg County6.00%8.00%
Sumter County6.00%8.00%
Union County6.00%8.00%
Williamsburg County6.00%8.00%
York County6.00%8.00%

Most services and retail goods are taxable in South Carolina, except for hotels and motels, laundry services, electricity services and communications services (including TV and internet service). While groceries are typically exempt from the statewide sales tax, local tax rates still apply to all food. Automobiles, boats, aircraft and other recreational vehicles are subject to a sales tax cap of $500 and local taxes are not due on these purchases.

South Carolinians looking for a break from sales tax get one weekend of sales-tax-free purchases of certain items. The sales tax holiday begins on the first Friday in August and runs through the weekend. During that time, purchases of clothing, school supplies, computers, linens and bathroom items (such as towels, shower curtains and bath mats) are exempt from sales tax.

South Carolina Property Tax

By law, the local option sales taxes in South Carolina are enacted in order to reduce county property taxes. That, in part, explains why property taxes in the Palmetto State are so low. The state’s average effective property tax rate (annual taxes paid as a percentage of home value) is tied the sixth-lowest in the country at just 0.52% (Utah). South Carolinians pay an average of $1,105 a year in property taxes.

Whether you’re looking to buy your dream vacation home in Myrtle Beach or refinance your current home in Charleston, take a look at our our South Carolina mortgage guide to learn all the details about mortgages in the state.

South Carolina Capital Gains Tax

Capital gains are taxed at two different levels in South Carolina. First, short-term capital gains (those realized in less than a year) are considered normal taxable income and taxed at the rates listed above. For long-term gains, 44% of the “net capital gain” is exempt. The net capital gain is the net long-term gain (of more than a year) minus any short-term loss for the taxable year.

South Carolina Cigarette Tax

The South Carolina cigarette tax is 57 cents per pack of 20. That’s one of the lowest rates in the country.

South Carolina Alcohol Tax

Alcoholic beverage excise and sales taxes in South Carolina are among the highest in the U.S. In addition to general state and local sales taxes, the state collects excise taxes of $2.72 per gallon of liquor, $1.08 per gallon of wine and $0.77 cents per gallon of beer.

South Carolina Gas Tax

The state collects a gas excise tax of just 28 cents. That higher rate puts South Carolina’s gas slightly above the national average.

Photo credit: flickr
  • Before being known as the Palmetto State, South Carolina’s nickname was the Iodine State. The current nickname refers to the state tree, while the former refers to the large amount of iodine found in the state’s vegetation.
  • Fort Sumter, in Charleston Harbor, is the site of the first shots fired during the American Civil War. They began the Battle of Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861.