FAQs • York County, SC • CivicEngage

My taxes were supposed to be paid at closing, and then my mortgage company is supposed to pay them after that. Why did I get a tax bill?: While real estate taxes are usually pro-rated between the buyer and seller at a real estate closing, York County issues one tax notice to the owner of record as of January 1 of each calendar year. Taxes become due and payable on September 30 of each year. Taxpayers should contact their closing attorney to find out how they should handle the tax notices for a year in which the property was transferred. York County will send tax notices to mortgage companies upon written request from the mortgage company.

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Tax Collection & Finance

1. What should I do if I paid my taxes, but I did not receive a renewal decal for my license tag?: Some of the reasons you may not have received a decal may include having any change made to your tax bill before paying, such as high mileage discount; having a first-time bill made for your vehicle; not completing the insurance information section when required; paying your taxes late. If you do not receive your decal, you should contact the Tax Collection office at 803-684-8527 or 803-909-7272.

2. Is there a late fee for late payment of vehicle taxes?: There is no county late fee for late payment of vehicle taxes. However, when you have a Department of Vehicles (DMV) tag fee due and the taxes are paid late, you will need to go to any South Carolina DMV to pay the late fee and obtain your decal and registration.

3. My taxes were supposed to be paid at closing, and then my mortgage company is supposed to pay them after that. Why did I get a tax bill?: While real estate taxes are usually pro-rated between the buyer and seller at a real estate closing, York County issues one tax notice to the owner of record as of January 1 of each calendar year. Taxes become due and payable on September 30 of each year. Taxpayers should contact their closing attorney to find out how they should handle the tax notices for a year in which the property was transferred. York County will send tax notices to mortgage companies upon written request from the mortgage company.

4. I did not receive a tax bill for my real estate, can I have the penalties removed?: The only time we can request that the Auditor abate a penalty is when there is direct evidence that there has been an error on the part of the County. This may occur in the event of an ownership transfer, in which case you should contact the Tax Collector’s Office regarding a request for abatement.

5. There are several owners of our property, can I pay my share and the other owners pay their share?: York County cannot accept partial payments at this time. There will be one tax notice mailed to the person listed as the contact person, and it is up to the discretion of the various owners as to how to pay the notice. Addresses for where tax notices are sent are handled through the Tax Assessor's Office, 803-684-8526. Partial payments are not currently authorized by State law.

6. I bought my property this year, but the tax bill has the name of the person I bought the property from instead of my name? What should I do?: Tax notices are mailed according to the owner of record as of January 1 of each year. The tax notice will be in the new owner's name the following year.

7. My mortgage company paid my taxes on my residence at the 6% assessment when it should have been 4%. How do I get a refund?: Please contact the Tax Assessor's office by phone at 803-684-8526 to be sure that you have completed your 4% application with their office. After the 4% application has been accepted, the Auditor’s Office will issue a new tax notice at the 4% assessment, the original 6% notice will be deleted. Should your mortgage company send a check for the 6% amount, the difference will be refunded to the mortgage company who made the payment. It may take several weeks to process this refund.

8. How can I find out which properties will be sold at the delinquent tax sale?: Properties classified as delinquent will be advertised in The Herald for three consecutive Mondays prior to the tax sale each year. The tax sale is held in October or November each year. The date of the Tax Sale will be listed on the website well in advance of the sale date.

9. When are my vehicle taxes due? When are my property taxes due?: Vehicle taxes are due on the day your license tag expires. Real estate taxes are payable beginning on September 30 of each year, and are payable through January 15 of the following year without a penalty.

10. My real estate taxes are too high. Why, and how can I get them reduced?: All residential and commercial property in York County is assessed at 6%, except an owner-occupied legal residence. If the property is your residence, it may qualify for the 4% assessment instead of the 6% assessment. Tax amounts are based also on the appraised value of the property. If you have questions about your assessment ratio or your property value, contact the Tax Assessor’s Office at 803-684-8526.