Vehicle Tax & Registration Information

Taxes

In South Carolina, vehicle taxes are paid a year in advance. If you are renewing your vehicle license tag, you can pay your taxes and renewal fee to the Treasurer's Office and eliminate having to go to the DMV. If you receive a tax notice for a boat or motor that you no longer own, you must notify BOTH the Auditor's office and the SC Department of Natural Resources at P.O. Box 167, Columbia, SC. 29202. When paying your taxes, please make reference on your check to the receipt number. This reduces the possibility of errors in posting your payment. If you receive a tax notice for a vehicle you no longer own, you will need to contact the Auditor's Office.

For vehicle tax payments, the confirmation receipt that you print after completing your tax payment is only a confirmation of your payment. This printed receipt is not acceptable as proof of payment at the DMV office. Your official tax receipt will be mailed to you within three business days of your payment. Please give ample time for your receipt to arrive through the postal service.

New Vehicle, Watercraft, or Motor/Re-Registration

If you have recently purchased a new vehicle or need to re-register one that has been off the road for over a year here are the steps necessary to get it on the tax rolls.

• Contact the Auditor's Office at 803-541-1040 to have a bill generated.
• Once a bill has been generated you must have the receipt number so that when you take your payment to the Treasurer's Office they will know which bill to apply your payment to. Please be sure to indicate in the memo section or with a note what receipt number your payment applies.
• Once we receive payment, the receipt must be taken to the DMV to purchase a tag and/or finalize the transaction. If you mail your payment or drop it in our convenient drop box we will mail your receipt to the address on the bill. If the receipt needs to be mailed to a different address please advise us.