State
South Carolina
Year
2017
Variations in Receipt of Benefit
No Variation in Receipt of Benefits
Benefit Type
Exemption
Benefit
Eligible applicants receive an exemption of the first $50,000 from the assessed value of county, municipal, school and special assessment property taxes. Applications must be filed with the local tax authority by no later than 15 July in order to receive the benefit for that year. Once a preliminary application has been filed, no subsequent application is required unless the applicant dies or moves to another address. Consult local tax auditor for applications, filing instructions, or with other questions.
How is Benefit Disbursed
Exemption from assessed value
Eligible Property Type
Residential
Characteristics of Eligible Property
Eligibility is the permanent home and legal residence of the applicant.
Eligibility Criteria
Age
Disability
Homeowner
Principal Residence
Surviving Spouse
Description of Eligibility Criteria
Eligible taxpayers must be: (1) at least 65 years old; (2) classified as totally and permanently disabled by a state or federal agency; or (3) legally blind. They must also occupy the qualifying property as their primary residence. Those applying based on being over 65 years of age must have turned 65 by 31 December of the preceding tax year and must have been a resident of South Carolina for at least 1 year. Applications for the exemption must be accompanied by documents certifying eligibility. Surviving spouses are also eligible for the exemption.
Local Option in Adoption of Program
Local government is unable to exercise an option
Local Option Regarding Program Features
No local option regarding program features
State Funding for Local Tax Loss
State reimburses all of the local government tax loss
Description of State Funding for Tax Loss
The state reimburses local governments for the total cost of providing the exemptions.
Record ID
SC103_RR17