Local Option Sales Tax referendum headed to November ballot

71% of collections will go back to residents as property tax credits

Georgetown County Council gave third and final reading Aug. 11 to an ordinance placing a proposed Local Option Sales Tax referendum on the Nov. 3 ballot. Georgetown County voters will now decide whether to approve the proposed 1% sales tax.

A Local Option Sales Tax is designed to reduce the property tax burden on local residents while allowing visitors and other nonresident consumers to help support the services they use while in the community. Under state law, up to 71% of the revenue would be dedicated directly to property tax rollbacks for primary and secondary residences, vehicles, boats, and other taxable property. The remaining 29% could be used to support government operations, services and community projects at both the county and municipal levels, including additional tax relief. 

If approved by voters in November, the measure would add 1 cent to each dollar spent on items subject to sales tax. Unprepared food items, prescription medications, and other items already exempt from South Carolina’s 6% sales tax would remain exempt from the additional 1% tax.

“This is an opportunity to make living in Georgetown County more affordable and provide meaningful relief to property owners,” said County Administrator Angela Christian. “It also allows visitors to share in the cost of the public services and infrastructure they use while enjoying our community.”

Council approved the ordinance on a 6-1 vote, with Council Member Raymond Newton voting against it.

County staff will begin providing additional information this month to help residents understand how the proposed tax would work and what it could mean for them.

Thirty-two of South Carolina’s 46 counties currently have a Local Option Sales Tax in place.

Additional information about the proposed tax is available at gtcountysc.gov/LOST.