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Getting to Know Bluffton: Tax Data

By John March

Services for Real Estate Pros with Charisma Media Group, LLC 50622

December 21, 2007 12:24 PM

Hilton Head Island & Bluffton Tax Info

South Carolina State Income Tax:

The South Carolina state income tax system is fairly similar to the national system where you are allowed certain deductions from your total income and are taxed on the remaining income.

The figures for the South Carolina tax rate on personal income are as follows: 2% on the first $2,000; 5% on the next $2,000; 3% on the next $2,000; 6% on the next $2,000; 4% on the next $2,000; and 7% on everything over $10,000.

Personal Property Tax: South Carolina does not have an intangible personal property tax on bank accounts, stocks, bonds, or similar items. There is a tangible property tax on automobiles, airplanes, and boats. The tax is the same for real estate and depends on which district you live in. Hilton Head Island is divided into seven districts, while the Town of Bluffton, unincorporated Bluffton and Okatie, and Dafuskie Island all have separate districts and millage rates.

For example: a $20,000 car times 10.5% gives and assessed value of $2,100, times a millage rate of 193.1 means a tax of $405.50 on the car (.1931 x 2,100)

Real Estate Tax:

The County Tax Assessor places an appraised value on all real estate, base on comparable sales, the property’s condition, and other factors. This appraised value is then multiplied by 4% for permanent residents and 6% for non-residents and corporations, which determines the “assessed value” of the property. The assessed value is then multiplied by the millage rate for the appropriate district. For example, an owner-occupied $200,000 home has and assessed value of $8,000 ($200,000 x 4%). That $8,000 is then multiplied by the current millage rate, which on the north end of Hilton Head Island is .1692 for the 2005 fiscal year. The tax for that home would be $1,353.60. This information is very general in nature, so if you have any specific questions you should check with the Beaufort County Assessor’s Office (843-470-2522) or your accountant.

You can roughly estimate taxes as 1% of the home per year.

Hilton Head Island & Bluffton Millage Rates for 2005:

HHI District 501 – Windmill Harbor 170.3

HHI District 510 – North Island 169.1

HHI District 511 – North Island 169.1

HHI District 520 – Palmetto Dunes/Shelter Cove 175.1

HHI District 550 - Sea Pines 165.1

HHI District 552 - Sea Pines 165.1

HHI District 553 – Forest Beach 165.1

Town Of Bluffton - 203.4

Unincorporated Bluffton/Okatie Daufuskie Island 161.4

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