Moving to Hilton Head Island & Bluffton

South Carolina Tax Guide – CLICK HERE

Property Taxes

To decipher property taxes in our area, below are links to assist you.  You may need the assistance of your trusted real estate advisor to obtain the tax district and property value information.

Beaufort County Tax Information to Know     |     Beaufort County Tax Estimator

Jasper County Government Information         |     Jasper County Tax Estimator

Important Contact Information

Beaufort County Assessor’s Office   RealProperty@bcgov.net   |  www.BCgov.net   843-255-2400

Beaufort County Auditor’s Office Auditor@bcgov.net   |   www.BCgov.net  843-255-2500

Beaufort County Board of Elections Voter@bcgov.net    |   www.BCgov.net  843-255-6900

Beaufort County Treasurer’s Office www.BeaufortCountyTreasurer.com 843-255-2600

Department of Motor Vehicles 15 Sheridan Park, Bluffton 28 Munch Drive, Beaufort www.SCDMVonline.com  803-896-5000

SC Department of Natural Resources www.dnr.sc.gov/boating/registration 803-734-3857

Beaufort County Public Schools – Click HERE

Getting a Driver’s License

You must apply for a driver’s license within 90 days of your move. Bring to your nearest SCDMV office:

• Two mail items proving your current SC This could be a utility bill in your name or school enrollment letter.
• Birth certificate or current passport
• Social Security Card
• Proof of Insurance

Registering to Vote

Register to vote with the Beaufort County Board of Elections in-person, by mail, or online, with the following:

• SC Driver’s License or ID card
• Social Security Card

Registering a Motor Vehicle, Motorcycle or Recreational Vehicle

Upon moving, you have 45 days to register.

First, visit the Beaufort County Auditor’s Office to have a tax bill created with the following:

• Bill of Sale or Title (If purchased from an individual, title must be signed by both parties)
• Driver’s License
• Most recent vehicle registration

Bring your newly printed tax bill to the Beaufort County Treasurer’s Office to pay. Last, go to any SCDMV field office with:

• Your tax receipt from the Treasurer’s office
• Driver’s License
• Proof of Insurance
• Bill of Sale or Title (If purchased from an individual, title must be signed by both parties)
• Most recent vehicle registration
• If you are 64 years of age or older, ask at SCDMV about a registration fee

Real Property

This is land, buildings and mobile homes.

Legal Residence

If your Beaufort County property will be your legal residence you may qualify for a Legal Residence Exemption. The application is available online or by visiting the Assessor’s Office. Submit the form as soon as possible; you do not need to wait until you get a tax bill.

The following documents are required for each owner:

• SC Driver’s License or ID Card
• SC Vehicle Registration
• Most recently filed SC Individual Income

Tax Return

• SC Voter Registration Card
• Military ID (Military personnel only)

If you  do not  have  all  of the  above,  contact the Assessor’s Office to identify acceptable alternatives.

Homestead Exemption

If you have had the legal residence exemption for one year and are over 65 years of age or have been certified totally and permanently disabled by a State or Federal Agency, or legally blind, and hold fee simple title or partial title to your property, you may be eligible for the Homestead Exemption. Visit the Auditor’s Office to apply.

Here are some of the documents you may need:

• SC Driver’s License or ID Card
• Medicare card or Birth Certificate
• If blind, documentation from a licensed ophthalmologist
• If disabled, documentation of disability from a state or federal agency

Rental Property or Non-Legal Residence

If your Beaufort County property will not be your legal residence it is assumed that the property may be rented. You therefore must submit a Rental Property Return form to the Auditor’s Office every year by April 30th.

The Rental Property Return form can be found online and requires you to identify whether you rent your property or not. If your property is rented, you must report  to the Auditor’s Office the value of any furnishings or appliances. The information submitted is used to determine whether a Rental Property Tax Bill should be generated and the appropriate tax amount.

The information submitted is used to determine whether a Rental Property Tax Bill should be generated and the appropriate tax amount. If you do not submit a Rental Property Return form to the Auditor’s Office, you will receive a Rental Property Tax Bill that estimates the value of furnishings to be 10% of the real property value.

Tax Notice, Due Dates, Appeals and Requesting Refunds

See information from Beaufort County, CLICK HERE