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South Carolina Homestead Exemption

By
Real Estate Agent with Coastal REO Solutions - Myrtle Beach Short Sales & REO's

Are you qualified for a Homestead Exemption and have you applied?

Many South Carolina residents don’t know about the Homestead Exemption program and therefor are paying higher property taxes than they should be.

How you qualify
1. Hold complete fee simple title or life estate to your PRIMARY RESIDENCE

2. As of December 31, of the preceding tax year you were a legal resident of South Carolina for one (1) year

3. As of December 31, of the preceding tax year of the exemption you were 
> at leas 65 years of age or
> declared totally and permanently disabled by a state or federal agency having the authority to make such a declaration or
> legally blind as certified by a licensed ophthalmologist

The Surviving Spouse of a qualified or potentially qualified Homestead recipient may also receive the benefit.

Where do I apply?
You may apply for the Homestead Exemption at your County Auditor’s office.  If you are unable to go to the Auditor’s office, an agent can make an application for you.

What documnets are needed?
1. If you are applying due to age, bring your birth certificate, Medicaid card, Medicare card, or driver’s license.

2. If you are applying due to disability, you will need present documentation from the state or federal agency certifying the disability.

3. If you are applying due to blindness, you will need to present documentation from a licensed ophthalmologist.

Do I need to re-apply annually? 
No, only in the case of the death of the eligible owner or if you move to a new home will re-application be necessary.

However the following change may affect your eligibility and must be reported to the County Auditor’s office immediately; change in disability, change of ownership, rental of your home, remarriage of the surviving spouse.

What is the benefit?
The program exempts the first $50,000.00 (fifty thousand dollars) of the value of your home from all property taxes. In turn saving you hundreds of dollars on your real estate tax bill.

In Horry County whom do I contact?
Shelby Anderson, Coordinator Homestead Exemption Program - Horry County Auditor’s office - (843) 915-5051

 

Hubert Miles
Patriot Home Inspections - Florence, SC
Certified Master Inspector

Great information Jason. Thanks for sharing with everyone. I have seen articles in the State Paper where some long-time Columbia residents watched their property values soar (especially in waterfront areas) from the boom that happened 5 years or so ago lost their homes or were forced to sell by the county because of taxes.

I wonder how many Horry county residents on fixed incomes have experienced this same situation.

Oct 18, 2008 12:00 AM
Anonymous
tony gentile

Clears it up a lot better than on the county page. I understand what I need to take with me so I don,t have to make a return trip

Feb 08, 2011 04:17 AM
#2
Anonymous
tony

I am 63 years resident since 2006. I have nhot worked since 2002. I am on 100% disabilty. My wife never relocated with me but her name is on the title. Can I quaify or do I need a qiut claim deed

Feb 08, 2011 04:23 AM
#3
Anonymous
alfred ellinger

Jason,

I will be 63 years old this April and am going to retire next year,2012,..can I apply for the homestead tax credit or do I have to wait until I am 65?

Thanks,

Al Ellinger

Feb 21, 2011 03:26 AM
#4
Jason Ellis
Coastal REO Solutions - Myrtle Beach Short Sales & REO's - Myrtle Beach, SC

Tony -- Please call me at 843-222-2672 and we can discuss your situation... 

 

Al -- You must be 65

Feb 21, 2011 03:52 AM
Anonymous
Bill Haynie

I will be 66 on 3/22/11.  My wife will be 59 in April.  Both names on the deed for our house.  Can I come register our property for homestead exemption next week when I am 66?  Is there a penalty if I wait until the fall of the year to request homestead exemption?  Thanks.

Mar 18, 2011 08:12 AM
#6
Anonymous
Ward Bowers

Can you get the Homestead Exemption on more than 1 home.

Aug 20, 2011 01:27 PM
#7
Anonymous
Jan

I am 66 years old and my husband just turned 65 October of 2011. Do we have to wait until after December 31 to apply or can we go ahead and apply now?. The house is in both our names.

 

Thanks

Dec 01, 2011 02:39 PM
#8
Anonymous
tt




DISABLED AMERICAN TOO SLOW WITH ONE HAND TO HANDLE PAPERWORK ON A F-R-I-D-A-Y AFTERNOON !

 

HORRIBLE experience as disabled American in Horry Co while applying for homestead exemption!  True, it was a FRIDAY and in the afternoon...NO EXCUSE!

 

ALL the females I came in contact with were RUDE, INSENSITIVE, VERBALLY ABUSIVE, CRITICAL...EVEN the ones at their little working windows I didn't speak with directly gave dirty, better than me, NASTY expressions!  

WHY YOU ASK ?

 

I was actually TALKED DOWN TO AND YELLED AT!  YES, after this treatment I in turn raised my voice to a TAX PAID PUBLIC S-E-R-V-A-N-T    

 What nerve for me to SPEAK OUT & STOP THE ABUSE!


It took me coming out of shock and drying my tears to request a Supervisor!  Yes, I certainly see WHY he holds his position..It is called a PROFESSIONAL IN CUSTOMER SERVICE!  I thank him for his patience, time, knowledge and assistance...HOWEVER, the ones I speak of justifiablly UNPROFESSIONAL should no longer look forward to receiving FRIDAY PAYCHECKS and be TERMINATED, they clearly should not SERVE the elderly or disabled...SHAME, SHAME!

 

RE-PLAY THE VIDEO OF THE AUDITOR & HOME EXEMPTION OFFICES ON FRIDAY 04 Jan 2013 between the hours of 3-5 p.m. & SEE FOR YOURSELF!  the two offices on the right of the hall..

Jan 05, 2013 06:29 AM
#9
Anonymous
tt

WHY after last years inquiry for homestead exemption was I not briefed an agent could assist me when the clerk knew full well I am 100% disabled rather told to come back next year to the office with even more problems not briefed?  Who is the top official to contact to recieve asssitance and resolution?

 

PLEASE HELP...

Jan 05, 2013 02:02 PM
#10
Anonymous
RCB

My experience occurred at Conway courthouse where after about 9 hours of being MISINFORMED BY EACH & EVERY front window employee, I was RUDELY told, in no uncertain terms, that after buying my primary residence in Surfside Beach, I will not qualify for ANY property tax break, even though I am a disabled 75 year OLD. I was talked down to in a dismissive manner & NOT allowed to file my prepared documentation for said exemption, unless & until, I pay a lawyer huge fees for a "cover sheet". PLEASE TELL ME WHY OUR TAX DOLLARS PAY GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES TO TREAT US IN SUCH UGLY & IGNORANT WAYS? It's sad they don't appreciate their jobs or display ANY respect toward we who must look to them for help. DISGRUNTLED GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES ARE FAR TOO COMMON THESE DAYS. THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED BY HELPFUL PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO RESPECT US, ARE GRATEFUL FOR THEIR JOBS, & POSSESS AN IOTA OF COMPASSION, OR AT THE VERY LEAST, -- COMMON SENSE & COURTESY! ITS TIME FOR MASSIVE TERMINATIONS. LET'S DRAIN THE HORRY COUNTY SWAMP NOW!

Aug 01, 2018 11:29 AM
#11