In South Carolina, vehicle taxes are paid a year in advance. If you are renewing your vehicle license tag, you can pay your taxes and renewal fee to the Treasurer's Office. If your payment is timely, you can receive your decal from the Treasurer's Office when paid in the Office. If you pay online and are timely the SCDMV will mail your decal to you within 7 to 10 business days. If your payment is late you will have to go over to the SCDMV to pick up your decal.

If you receive a tax notice for a boat or motor that you no longer own, you must notify the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources at 1-803-734-4367. Mailing Address is P.O. Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202-0167.

Web address: SCDNR - Contact us

You will also need to contact the Auditor's Office at (803-425-1528) so than can update their records and complete forms necessary to update their files as well.

When paying your taxes, please make sure you reference the receipt number to ensure we apply payment to the correct account. 

If you receive a tax notice for a vehicle you no longer own, you will need to contact the Auditor's Office at 803-425-1528.

Q. What is the time table for collecting taxes in Kershaw County?

A. Taxes are collected on the following schedule for the year that ended December 31:

October 2 - Books Open

January 16 - Taxes Due 

January 17 - 3% Penalty

February 2 - 10% Penalty

March 19 - 15% Penalty - Turned over to Delinquent Tax Collector

Q. Why did the Treasurer send my bill to the wrong address?

A. The Treasurer's Office does not maintain the ownership records. The Assessor's Office maintains the ownership information for all real estate transactions and mobile homes. The Auditor's Office maintains ownership records for all personal property and vehicles. This is why it is important for taxpayers to notify their offices of changes in address and ownership.

Q. How do I apply for high mileage discount on my vehicle?

A. To apply for a high mileage appeal, you must make a written statement to the Auditor's Office on or before the due date on the tax notice. Please submit all requests to: Kershaw County Auditor, 515 Walnut Street, Camden SC 29020, or fax to 803-432-1385 or apply online at www.kershawcountyscauditor.com

Q. When are the taxes due on my motor vehicle?

A. Taxes on motor vehicles and recreational vehicles must be paid before your license plate tags can be renewed. These taxes are due by the last day of the month in which your tag expires.

Q. Why am I being charged taxes for the vehicle I just purchased? The dealer told me he would take care of tags and taxes.

A. There are two taxes when purchasing a vehicle: property tax with Kershaw County Treasurer’s Office and sales tax with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.

When you purchase a vehicle from a dealership, their personnel are allowed to pick up your registration and license tags without paying the local property taxes. When the dealer states that they are taking care of your taxes, they are referring to the sales tax, which is paid at the local Department of Motor Vehicles. The tax you paid to the dealership at the time of purchase was the South Carolina state sales tax. The County tax is due within 120 days of purchase.

Q. Why did the Treasurer raise my taxes?

A. The Treasurer does not determine property tax amounts. The amount of tax money needed is decided by each of the area’s taxing authorities. The Assessor’s Office determines appraisal values for all the real estate and mobile homes. The Auditor determines the value for all personal property and calculates the tax amount for real estate and personal property.

Q. What is the Homestead Exemption program and how do I qualify for this exemption?

A. In 1972, the SC General Assembly passed the Homestead Exemption Law which provides real estate tax relief for South Carolinians who are age 65 and over, totally and permanently disabled, or legally blind. The exemption excludes the first $50,000 from the fair market of your legal residence.

You may qualify for the Homestead Exemption if you are at least 65 years of age on or before December 31, preceding the tax year in which you wish to claim the exemption; or are certified totally and permanently disabled by a state or federal agency; or are legally blind; and are a legal resident of South Carolina for at least one year on or before December 31 of the year prior to the exemption; and hold fee simple title or partial title to your house, mobile home, or life estate on or before December 31 of the year prior to the exemption, and have been approved to receive the 4% legal residence tax assessment ratio, and were a legal residence of South Carolina for one year. Contact the Auditor’s office for instructions and the forms of proof necessary.

Q. Is there anyway to reduce my tax bill?

A. Yes, there are exemptions that you may qualify for and will need to apply with the appropriate department. All exemptions for real estate taxes will be filed in the Assessor’s Office and would suggest calling first to make sure you bring the correct information; phone number is 803-425-1523. All personal property exemptions like high mileage will be processed by the Auditor’s Office and phone number is 803-425-1528.

Q. Where do my property tax dollars go?

A. Property tax dollars go to fund the following:

To support administration of County government and public school system

To build and repair public buildings for County and schools

To pay expenses of court, county jail and law enforcement

To provide for fire protection