TaxTrack guide · Updated September 24, 2026
South Carolina business personal property tax: how it is calculated
Short answer: South Carolina taxes business furniture, fixtures, computers, machinery and equipment every year. The assessed value is 10.5% of the net depreciated value, and the county applies the combined millage for the location. At 300 mills, each $10,000 of equipment costs about $315 a year.
Once you know the formula, estimating business property tax takes a minute, and the county pages below give you the real 2025 local rates to plug in.
The formula
Net depreciated value x 10.5% x millage / 1,000 = yearly tax
The business reports each asset's original cost, depreciation and net depreciated value. SCDOR sets the assessed value at 10.5% of the net depreciated value, and the county applies the millage of the county, school district, city and any other districts covering the location. One mill is $1 of tax per $1,000 of assessed value.
| Equipment value | Assessed (10.5%) | At 250 mills | At 350 mills |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $1,050 | $262.50 | $367.50 |
| $25,000 | $2,625 | $656.25 | $918.75 |
| $100,000 | $10,500 | $2,625 | $3,675 |
Who has to file
SCDOR says all businesses are required to file business personal property returns, including businesses that lease equipment located in South Carolina. Depending on the business classification and county, the return goes to SCDOR or is handled with the county.
Local rates for every county
Rates vary widely by county, school district and city. See the 2025 business property tax rates for all 46 South Carolina counties, built from the South Carolina Association of Counties report.
Equipment you no longer own
Only property the business still had should be taxed for a given year. If old records still carry equipment that was sold, scrapped or taken out of service, the value should be corrected, and an assessment built on a wrong value can be protested.
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Start the free checkupCommon questions
What is the assessment ratio for business personal property in South Carolina?
10.5% of net depreciated value, set by SCDOR.
Do I have to file a business personal property return if I lease my equipment?
SCDOR says businesses that lease equipment located in South Carolina are also required to file.
What is a mill?
One mill is $1 of tax per $1,000 of assessed value. The combined millage is the sum of the county, school district, city and other district rates for the location.
Sources
- SCDOR: Business Personal Property
- SC Association of Counties: 2025 South Carolina Property Tax Rates by County
- SCDOR: Appeals Process
Sources checked September 24, 2026.
Not tax, legal or accounting advice. TaxTrack by ExpenseTrack gives estimates for general information and planning only. It estimates and organizes; it does not prepare or file returns. Actual tax, penalties, interest and reinstatement requirements are determined by the South Carolina Department of Revenue, county offices and the Secretary of State. Talk to a qualified CPA, enrolled agent or tax attorney about your situation.