Sales tax in Charleston County, South Carolina

What is the sales tax rate in Charleston County?

Why the rate here is not the whole story

South Carolina's state sales tax is 6 percent and Charleston County adds 3 percent in county-wide local sales taxes approved by referendum of the county's voters, made up of a 1 percent Local Option Sales and Use Tax, two Transportation Taxes of 0.5 percent each and a 1 percent Education Capital Improvement Tax, for a combined 9 percent. South Carolina cities and towns cannot levy a general sales tax except for a 1 percent Tourism Development Fee, open only to a municipality in a county whose state accommodations tax revenue reaches 14 million dollars in a fiscal year, and no municipality in the county imposes one, so the 9 percent rate applies at every address in the county. Unprepared food that can be bought with USDA food coupons is exempt from the state 6 percent, but the county's Transportation and Local Option taxes still apply to it, so qualifying groceries are taxed at 2 percent.

How do I find the exact rate for an address in Charleston County?

The rate is the same across Charleston County, but if you are collecting tax it is worth confirming against the source. Use South Carolina's own lookup. A vendor's calculator is not the state speaking.

Who has to collect sales tax in Charleston County?

A seller with a physical presence in South Carolina collects at the rate for the address where the sale takes place. A remote seller collects once it passes South Carolina's economic nexus threshold, which is a separate question from the rate and is covered on our sales tax nexus checker. Marketplace facilitators generally collect on behalf of their sellers.

How does Charleston County compare?

See South Carolina sales tax for the statewide picture, including the average local rate and what is exempt. Property tax is a separate tax with separate rules: property tax in Charleston County.