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How much is sales tax on a car in South Carolina?
South Carolina car sales tax guide
Short answer: South Carolina charges 5% state tax on vehicle purchases, about $500 on a $30,000 car. Source: state revenue/DMV rules, checked October 28, 2026; local taxes and fees may add.
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Start my dealSouth Carolina 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee, capped at $500, instead of sales tax. Doc fee taxability rule (South Carolina DOR — 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (S.C. Code § 56-3-627, capped at $500)): dealer closing fees are part of gross proceeds for the 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (subject to the $500 statewide cap). Rebates and add-ons aren't modeled.
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South Carolina car sales tax, at a glance: 5% state tax on vehicle purchases. South Carolina 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee, capped at $500, instead of sales tax. Trade-in credit: allowed. A $30,000 car owes about $500 in state tax.
Statutory Status: Reviewed. Base sales tax: Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2026, Table 18 (State & Local Sales Tax Rates), as of October 28, 2026. Vehicle rules: Best-effort, checked October 28, 2026.
Leasing or getting a rebate in South Carolina?
Leases and rebates change the tax line on your quote. Here is how South Carolina handles each, in plain English, with the official source for each. Compare it to the tax on your dealer's worksheet.
Leasing in South Carolina
Tax up front on the total of payments · 5%
South Carolina leases are exempt from sales tax; instead the 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee applies to the gross proceeds of the lease, capped at $500, collected at titling.
Source: SC DOR: Sales and use tax on motor vehicles; S.C. Code 56-3-627 (checked Oct. 20, 2026)
Manufacturer rebates in South Carolina
Taxed on the price before the rebate
A manufacturer rebate does not reduce gross proceeds for the infrastructure maintenance fee ($500 cap).
South Carolina's 5% fee is capped at $500, so on most new cars the rebate makes no difference.
Estimate: a $1,000 rebate adds about Up to $50 (fee capped at $500) in state tax (state rate only; local tax can add more).
Source: SCDOR Revenue Ruling 18-1 (checked Oct. 21, 2026)
Best pick for your situation
If you have a car to sell: sell it privately if you can get more than the dealer offers. South Carolina gives no trade-in tax credit, so trading in saves $0 in state tax; every extra dollar from a private sale is yours.
The math:
- $30,000 car, no trade-in: $500 state tax at 5%
- $30,000 car, $10,000 trade-in: $500 state tax (trade-in rule: allowed)
- South Carolina charges a statewide rate only (0% county or municipal auto sales tax on vehicle purchases; the local rate field stays at 0%).
Sources: Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2026, Table 18 (State & Local Sales Tax Rates) (October 28, 2026); vehicle rules best-effort from state DMV/revenue (Best-effort, checked October 28, 2026).
A situational guide based on published state tax and fee rules, not legal or financial advice. VaultRubric accepts zero dealer, lender, or affiliate compensation.
Your roadmap
- Enter the vehicle price and any trade-in above to see your exact statewide tax (0% county or municipal auto sales tax applies).
- Get a written trade-in offer and a private-sale estimate, then compare using the math above.
- Ask for the out-the-door price in writing with tax, doc fee and title listed separately.
- Verify the rate with the South Carolina DMV or revenue department before signing; dealer quotes can be wrong.
- Plug the total into the to see the monthly payment.
South Carolina car sales tax by price
| Vehicle price | State tax, no trade | With $10,000 trade-in |
|---|---|---|
| $15,000 | $500 | $250 |
| $20,000 | $500 | $500 |
| $25,000 | $500 | $500 |
| $30,000 | $500 | $500 |
| $40,000 | $500 | $500 |
| $50,000 | $500 | $500 |
| $60,000 | $500 | $500 |
South Carolina charges a statewide rate only (0% county or municipal auto sales tax on vehicle purchases; the local rate field stays at 0%).
Sources & as-of dates
- Base sales tax: Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2026, Table 18 (State & Local Sales Tax Rates) (as of October 28, 2026).
- Vehicle-specific rates and trade-in rules: best-effort compilation from state DMV/revenue rules (Best-effort, checked October 28, 2026); e.g. Virginia DMV, Michigan Treasury Form 485, California CDTFA Regulation 1610.
- Local vehicle tax (no local vehicle tax): SCDMV, Fees (Infrastructure Maintenance Fee) (retrieved October 28, 2026). South Carolina's 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (max $500) replaces sales tax on vehicles; no local tax. Data file: sc.json.
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FAQ
How much is car sales tax in South Carolina?
5% at the state level. South Carolina 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee, capped at $500, instead of sales tax. South Carolina charges a statewide rate only (0% county or municipal auto sales tax on vehicle purchases; the local rate field stays at 0%). On a $30,000 car with no trade-in that's about $500 in state tax.
Does South Carolina charge sales tax on a trade-in?
Yes. South Carolina generally taxes the price minus your trade-in value, so a $10,000 trade-in on a $30,000 car cuts the state tax from $500 to $500. (Verified from state statute / DMV rules.)
Is South Carolina's general sales tax the same as its car tax?
South Carolina's statewide general sales tax is 6% (Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2026, Table 18 (State & Local Sales Tax Rates), as of October 28, 2026); the rate applied to vehicles is 5%.
Does South Carolina add county or city tax on a car?
No. South Carolina's 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (max $500) replaces sales tax on vehicles; no local tax. (SCDMV, Fees (Infrastructure Maintenance Fee)).
Does this include the doc fee, title and registration?
No. Those vary by dealer, county, vehicle weight and value.
Is this tax advice?
No. Estimates from best-effort state rules, not tax or financial advice; confirm with your state agency or dealer.
How are car leases taxed in South Carolina?
Tax up front on the total of payments (5%). South Carolina leases are exempt from sales tax; instead the 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee applies to the gross proceeds of the lease, capped at $500, collected at titling. Source: SC DOR: Sales and use tax on motor vehicles; S.C. Code 56-3-627.
Is a car rebate taxed in South Carolina?
Yes, tax is figured on the price before a manufacturer rebate. A manufacturer rebate does not reduce gross proceeds for the infrastructure maintenance fee ($500 cap). Source: SCDOR Revenue Ruling 18-1.
Educational auto deal, sales tax, doc-fee, and loan/lease math only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Dealerships are independent sellers; verify all out-the-door figures on your written buyer's order before signing.