Berkeley County Auditor’s Office providing information on property tax exemptions

Berkeley County Auditor Janet Brown Jurosko and Deputy County Auditor Molly Owens-John are reminding the public of critical information about property tax exemptions available through the Homestead Exemption Act. This Act applies to the primary residence of homeowners who qualify in at least one of three ways:

• At least 65 years old
• Totally and permanently disabled
• Legally blind

The Homestead Exemption Act exempts the first $50,000 off the value of the qualified applicant’s home and requires the taxpayer to come into the County Auditor’s office to apply. **If you’re unable to come into the office, please give us a call so that we may make other arrangements for you.** The exemption continues in effect unless there is a change in the title of the residence, change in disability or marital status, change of primary residence, the property is disposed of, or the dwelling is rented.  This act may apply to living trusts and other trusts if the trustee holds legal title to the home and the beneficiary of the trust is qualified by age or disability.

A taxpayer may be eligible for exemption of taxes on the qualified residence by the S.C. Department of Revenue if a homeowner has a 100% total and permanent service-connected disability. This disability exemption may be from the Veterans Administration, Law Enforcement, or Firefighter services. It also applies if the homeowner is a paraplegic or hemiplegic. For the purposes of this exemption, paraplegic or hemiplegic includes a person with Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, which has caused the same ambulatory difficulties as a person with paraparesis or hemiparesis.

If you qualify for these programs, please visit the Berkeley County Auditor’s Office at 1003 N. Highway 52, Moncks Corner; or call 843-723-3800 (Charleston), 843-567-3136 (St. Stephen), or 843-719-4727 (Moncks Corner). The Auditor’s Office can assist you in the completion of this application form. For more information, go HERE.

Please note: To safeguard our taxpayers from identity theft, this is an internal procedure. If you are unable to visit us in person, you have the option to designate a representative, or one of our team members can arrange to meet with you at your location.

If you are already receiving one of these exemptions, you do NOT have to reapply, unless your circumstances have changed as noted above. The exemption breakdown will be reflected on your yearly tax bill.