Declaring a Homestead in South Carolina
by Mason Tilford-Mabry
In South Carolina, senior citizens and people who are blind or disabled can request a reduction of their home’s property tax through the state's Homestead Exemption Program. Qualifying for the homestead exemption is not an automatic process -- to receive the exemption on your property tax bill, you will need to apply for it. Although the process requires some work, it could yield savings on your yearly property taxes.
The Law
If you meet the requirements -- over the age of 65, legally blind or totally and permanently disabled -- you can request a homestead exemption adjustment. South Carolina’s exemption adjustment makes the first $50,000 of the fair market value of your home exempt when calculating your property taxes. The homestead exemption also makes your property totally exempt from any taxes from school bond levies.
Documentation
To apply for South Carolina’s Homestead Exemption Program, you will need to provide proof of your eligibility. To apply for the exemption based on your age, you will need to supply documents that prove your age, such as your driver’s license, birth certificate, Medicaid or Medicare card. If you are claiming eligibility due to disability, you will need to provide documentation from a federal or state agency that certifies your disability status. To request the exemption due to legal blindness, you will need to provide documents from a licensed ophthalmologist or from South Carolina’s Commission for the Blind.
Application Process
Once you have gathered the necessary documents, visit your local county auditor to complete the application process for the exemption. After you have submitted your documents to your county’s auditor and formally applied for the exemption, your application will be reviewed and -- if eligible -- the exemption adjustment will be applied to your tax bill.
Additional Considerations
The primary focus of the Homestead Exemption Program is to provide tax relief for homeowners who meet legal requirements -- however, there may be some additional considerations that impact eligibility. Under South Carolina’s law, the homestead exemption only applies to your primary residence -- it does not extend to other property you own. While you do not need to reapply for the program on an annual basis, you will need to reapply for the exemption if the eligible owner of the home dies or moves to a new residence. If the deed for your home is in your name and anyone other than your spouse, the amount of the exemption will be reduced to match the percentage of your ownership interest as shown on your home’s deed.
References
Photo Credits
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