Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the Legal Residence Discount?
A. Obtaining the status of Legal Residence entitles the owner to a discount on the
real estate taxes by lowering the assessment ratio from 6% to 4% and removing the school operating portion of the tax bill.
Q. Do I qualify for the Legal Residence Discount?
A. You qualify for the discount if you own an interest in the real property which you are occupying. The interest may be owned totally or in part, in fee or by life estate. The owner-occupant must have actually owned and occupied the residence as his/her legal residence and been domiciled at that address for some period during the applicable tax year.
Q. How do I apply?
A. You must apply in person in the Assessor's office. A valid drivers license
with photograph and a copy of vehicle registrations for all vehicles owned is
required. The burden of proof for eligibility for the four percent assessment ratio
is on the owner-occupant. The Assessor may request additional information
including but not limited to: a copy of the owner-occupants most recently filed
South Carolina individual income tax return, utility statements, marriage
certificate, voters registration, legal separation agreement and utility statements.
Q. Will my spouse have to sign the form also?
A. If married only one spouse is required to personally appear, however, they must
bring the required information such as a copy of the South Carolina Drivers
License or I.D. Card and all vehicle registrations for the other spouse.
Q. My spouse has not changed his/her Drivers License and I am the only owner listed on the deed or title of record. Can I apply without my spouses' information?
A. No. On the application you are attesting "neither I nor any other member of my
household is residing in or occupying any other residence in South Carolina which
I or any member of my immediate family has qualified for the special assessment
ratio allowed by this section." It is your responsibility to prove residency for both
you and your spouse. For the purpose of this section " a member of my
household" means the owner-occupant's spouse, except when that spouse is
legally separated from the owner-occupant and any child of the owner-occupant
claimed or eligible to be claimed as a dependent on the owner-occupant's federal
income tax return.
Q. I do not own a vehicle. Is that a problem?
A. If you do not own a vehicle we will require additional proof other than the state
identification card. You should bring with you at least two utility bills in your
name at the correct address showing when service was turned on. These must be
power, water or gas,. Phone, satellite or cable bills are not accepted. A copy of
your most recent South Carolina Income Tax Return may also be required.
Q. The only vehicle I drive is a company vehicle that is registered in another state. Will that be accepted?
A. If the vehicle is driven home daily and is used for any personal use it must be
registered at the address where it is domiciled. If you own a personal vehicle and
the company vehicle is used strictly for business use, a notarized letter from the
company stating the vehicle is used only for business and the use of the vehicle for
personal use is prohibited will be accepted, otherwise, it also must be registered at
that address.
Q. What is the Homestead Exemption?
A. Homestead Exemption is applied for in the Auditor's office and is a state
exemption that is available to owner-occupants over 65 or disabled. For
information on the requirements to qualify for this exemption please contact the
Auditors Office.
Q. Our Property is owned by a trust. Do we still qualify for the Legal Residence discount?
A. If the property is held in a trust, you must provide a copy of the trust to the
Assessor. The trust must state that the occupant is the income beneficiary of the
trust.
Q. Can property owned by LLC's or Corporations qualify of the Legal Residence
Discount?
A. No, under state law the Discount can not be granted on property owned by an
LLC or Corporation.
Q. How do I get the best tax rate for my home?
A. If you own a residence, you want to be sure to obtain the 4% assessment ratio if you live in the residence as your primary place of residency. All properties that are not owner-occupied will be assessed at a 6% assessment ratio. To obtain the 4% assessment rate, you or your agent will need to complete a legal residence application and file with the county assessor. This should be done as soon as your deed or bond-for-title is recorded and you move into your home, but may be filed anytime before the first penalty date, when taxes are due (January 15). If a person signs the legal residence certification, obtains the 4% assessment rate, and is thereafter found not eligible, or loses eligibility and fails to notify the assessor within six months, a penalty is imposed equal to one hundred percent of the tax paid, plus interest on that amount at the rate of one-half of one percent a month, but in no case less than $30 nor more than the current year's taxes.
Q. I agree with the appraised value, but I'm afraid my taxes will go up accordingly. Should I appeal my value because I feel my taxes will increase?
A. NO! Mill levies are set each year by taxing authorities. The mill levy determines amounts of each tax bill that goes to schools, fire districts, water and sanitation districts, governmental agencies, and other special districts.
|