South Carolina's state sales tax is 6%, and local add-ons take the combined rate as high as 9%. Of the 51 state-level rates, 6% is the 17th-highest (tied with 10 other states); the 9% top combined rate is the 16th-highest, tied with Georgia and Idaho.
Combined sales tax in South Carolina cities
The 3 South Carolina cities we list range from 6% to 9%, a local share of 0% to 3%. At the 9% maximum: Charleston.
Combined rates as published by the South Carolina Department of Revenue
City
Combined rate
Local share
Tax on $100
Charleston
9%
3%
$9.00
Columbia
8%
2%
$8.00
Greenville
6%
0%
$6.00
Sales tax on a purchase in South Carolina
Backward from a receipt: a $50.00 total at 8% is $46.30 of goods and $3.70 of tax.
Tax owed at South Carolina rates
Price
State only (6%)
Median listed city (8%)
Highest (9%)
$25.00
$1.50
$2.00
$2.25
$100.00
$6.00
$8.00
$9.00
$1,000.00
$60.00
$80.00
$90.00
$2,500.00
$150.00
$200.00
$225.00
Groceries in South Carolina
South Carolina exempts groceries from the state rate. Local option taxes generally exempt food too, but school district and capital project taxes can still apply. The local part is decided city by city, so the calculator marks South Carolina grocery results "check locally".
6% state, up to 9% with local taxes. The middle of the 3 South Carolina cities we list is 8%.
What is the highest sales tax rate in South Carolina?
9% combined. Charleston charges that rate.
Are groceries taxed in South Carolina?
South Carolina exempts groceries from the state rate. Local option taxes generally exempt food too, but school district and capital project taxes can still apply. The local part is decided city by city, so the calculator marks South Carolina grocery results "check locally".
How much is the sales tax on $1,000 in Charleston?
$90.00 at Charleston's 9%, $1,090.00 in total; $60.00 of it is the state's.
Sources
Official documents the rates and rules on this page come from.
This is a reference calculation using common tax assumptions and is not a substitute for professional advice. We accept no liability for decisions made from it — see the terms of use for details.