South Carolina Car Sales Tax Calculator
South Carolina charges a state vehicle sales/use tax of 5% on a car purchase. On a $20,000 vehicle that is about $1,000.00 in state tax before any local add-ons. Enter your own price below — and your trade-in, if South Carolina allows a trade-in credit — to estimate what you'll owe.
Quick answer: South Carolina’s state vehicle sales/use tax rate is 5%. Local (county/city) taxes may apply on top.
Estimate your South Carolina car sales tax
Enter the vehicle price. If South Carolina gives a trade-in tax credit, add your trade-in value to reduce the taxable amount.
State rate only. Many South Carolina counties and cities add a local sales tax on top, so your actual total may be higher. Trade-in credit rules vary — confirm eligibility with the official source below.
How South Carolina taxes a car purchase
| State vehicle sales/use tax rate | 5% |
| Taxable amount | Price − trade-in credit (where allowed) |
| Local / county tax | Varies by jurisdiction — added on top of the state rate |
South Carolina charges a $15 title fee and $40 biennial passenger registration. Instead of sales tax it levies a 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF) on the purchase price, capped at a maximum of $500.
Sales tax on a used car in South Carolina
South Carolina applies the same 5% state sales/use tax to a used car as to a new one. On a private-party sale the tax is normally collected when you title and register the vehicle — calculated on the price you paid, minus a trade-in credit where the state allows one, and checked against the vehicle's fair-market value to deter under-reporting.
What this estimate excludes
- Local and district taxes. County, city, and transit taxes are added on top of the South Carolina state rate.
- Title, registration, and plate fees. These are separate from sales tax — use the South Carolina registration and title-transfer calculators for those.
- Dealer documentation fees. A dealer “doc fee” is charged on top and is often itself taxable.
- Exemptions. Gifts, inheritance, and certain family transfers may be exempt — confirm with South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV).
Official South Carolina source
Related South Carolina tools & guides
Frequently asked questions
How much is sales tax on a car in South Carolina?
The South Carolina state vehicle sales/use tax rate is 5%. Multiply it by the taxable purchase price (usually the price minus any trade-in credit). Counties and cities may add a local sales tax on top, so confirm your combined rate with South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV).
Do I pay sales tax when buying a used car from a private seller in South Carolina?
In most states, sales or use tax on a private-party vehicle purchase is collected when you title and register the car, not at the point of sale. The rate is generally the same as a dealer sale. Confirm the private-sale rules with South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV).
Does South Carolina give a sales tax credit for a trade-in?
Most states tax only the difference between the vehicle price and your trade-in value, which lowers the tax you owe. A handful of states tax the full price with no trade-in credit. Verify South Carolina's treatment before you rely on the estimate above.
Are there local or county car sales taxes in South Carolina?
Often, yes. The rate shown here is the South Carolina state rate only; many counties, cities, and transit districts add a local sales tax on vehicle purchases, so your combined rate can be higher. South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) publishes the official combined rates.
Can you legally avoid sales tax on a used car in South Carolina?
The legitimate ways to lower or avoid vehicle sales/use tax in South Carolina are a qualifying trade-in credit (where the state allows one), a genuine gift or qualifying family transfer, or a specific exemption the state grants — not understating the sale price, which is illegal and easily caught by South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) against the vehicle's fair-market value. Confirm any exemption with South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) before relying on it.
Last reviewed: 2026-01-01 · Reviewed by the Car Paperwork editorial team · Based on official South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) sources · Independent resource · Not legal advice