Charleston 9% · Columbia 8% · Greenville 6% · SC base 6% · $300 item cap
South Carolina has a 6% state sales tax. County additions range from 0%–3%, creating wide variation. Charleston County is 9%, Columbia (Richland) is 8%, Greenville County has no addition for 6%. SC has a unique $300 maximum tax cap on most individual items, making it advantageous for large purchases.
Use 9% as the starting South Carolina sales tax rate.
The calculator below lets you add tax to a price or remove tax from a receipt total. Pick a city when available, or type the exact local rate from the official source.
State base rate
6%
Average combined
7.42%
Charleston rate
9% combined
Calculator
%
Change this anytime — no extra click. Verify final rates with your state or country tax authority.
$
Quick amounts
Enter an amount to see the result.
Educational tool only — not tax advice. Confirm rates before filing or pricing for customers.
South Carolina combined rates by city — 2026 reference
Charleston
Charleston County · State 6% + County 3%
9%
North Charleston
Charleston County · State 6% + County 3%
9%
Mount Pleasant
Charleston County · State 6% + County 3%
9%
Columbia
Richland County · State 6% + County 2%
8%
Rock Hill
York County · State 6% + County 2%
8%
Greenville
Greenville County · State 6% only — no county addition
Multiply the taxable price by the combined state and local rate. Then add the tax amount to the original price to get the final checkout total.
Sales tax formula
Sales tax = item price x (rate / 100)
Final total = item price + sales tax
Enter the item price before tax.
Use the city rate above or type the exact local rate from the official source.
Calculate the sales tax amount and final total instantly.
Example
Formula
Tax
Total
$100 purchase in Charleston
$100.00 x 9%
$9.00
$109.00
$250 purchase in North Charleston
$250.00 x 9%
$22.50
$272.50
Reverse tax from $109 in Charleston
$109 ÷ 1.09000 ≈ $100.00 pre-tax; about $9.00 was sales tax.
$100.00 before tax
$100.00 before tax
South Carolina sales tax examples
Common receipt calculations using high-search city rates.
$100 purchase in Charleston
$109 total
$100.00 × 9% = $9.00 sales tax in Charleston, South Carolina.
$250 purchase in North Charleston
$272.5 total
$250.00 × 9% = $22.50 sales tax in North Charleston, South Carolina.
Reverse tax from $109 in Charleston
$100.00 before tax
$109 ÷ 1.09000 ≈ $100.00 pre-tax; about $9.00 was sales tax.
State rate: 6%
Avg combined: 7.42%
Economic nexus: $100,000 in sales OR 200 transactions in South Carolina
Filing: Monthly, Quarterly, or Annual
South Carolina Sales Tax
South Carolina's 6% state rate shows major county variation. Charleston County (9%) is the highest, Greenville County (6%) has no local addition. SC's $300 single-item tax cap is unique — the most state tax paid on any single item is $18 (6% × $300). Groceries are generally exempt from the state portion.
South Carolina combined rates by city
Combined rates vary across South Carolina. Reference cities on this page include: Charleston (9%), North Charleston (9%), Mount Pleasant (9%), Columbia (8%), Rock Hill (8%), Greenville (6%). ZIP codes and special districts can differ — use the official lookup linked above for address-level filing.
Common exemptions in South Carolina
Common exemptions include: Most grocery food items; Prescription drugs; Medical equipment. Restaurant meals, prepared food, and many services are often taxable even when groceries are exempt.
Online sellers and economic nexus
Out-of-state sellers that exceed $100,000 in sales OR 200 transactions in South Carolina in South Carolina generally must register and collect tax on taxable sales delivered into the state. Marketplace facilitators often remit tax on behalf of third-party sellers.
How to use this calculator
Pick a city from the list or type the combined percentage from your SC tax lookup. Enter a pre-tax amount to add sales tax, or use reverse mode to split tax from a receipt total. Businesses should validate address-level rates in certified tax software before filing returns.
Often taxable in South Carolina
• General merchandise
• Electronics
• Clothing
• Restaurant meals
Common exemptions
• Most grocery food items
• Prescription drugs
• Medical equipment
Common mistakes to avoid
Using only the state rate
South Carolina's 6% state rate is only the starting point. Charleston is 9% combined.
Subtracting tax from a gross total
To reverse sales tax, divide by 1 + (rate ÷ 100). Do not subtract the percentage from the tax-inclusive price.
Treating groceries and clothing the same
Exemptions differ by item. Review South Carolina rules for food, apparel, medicine, and digital goods before invoicing.
Quoting the average rate for every address
The 7.42% average is useful for estimates; use address-level rates for compliance and customer quotes.
Official South Carolina sales tax source
Rates and rules on this page were last reviewed in January 2026 against South Carolina Dept. of Revenue. Use the linked authority for filing, registrations, or address-specific compliance.
•Rates on this page were compared to South Carolina official Department of Revenue publications as of January 2026.
•Charleston is listed at 9% combined (State 6% + County 3%). Confirm ZIP-level rates before filing.
•Destination-based rules usually apply to shipped orders — use the delivery address rate, not the seller's warehouse rate, unless official guidance says otherwise.
South Carolina sales tax — frequently asked questions
What is the South Carolina sales tax rate in 2026?
SC base is 6%. Charleston County adds 3% for 9%, Richland County (Columbia) adds 2% for 8%, Greenville County adds nothing for 6%.
What is the South Carolina $300 tax cap?
SC caps the maximum tax on most individual items at $300 total tax. This makes SC attractive for large purchases like boats and vehicles.
Does South Carolina tax groceries?
Most unprepared grocery food items are exempt from the South Carolina state sales tax.
What is the sales tax rate in Charleston, SC?
Charleston uses about 9% combined sales tax (State 6% + County 3%). Always verify the current rate for your exact address.
Is clothing taxable in South Carolina?
Clothing and footwear are generally taxable in South Carolina at the combined state and local rate unless a specific exemption applies.
Does South Carolina charge sales tax on online purchases?
Remote sellers and marketplaces that exceed South Carolina's economic nexus threshold ($100,000 in sales OR 200 transactions in South Carolina) generally must collect South Carolina sales tax based on the delivery address.
How do I reverse South Carolina sales tax from a receipt total?
Divide the tax-inclusive total by 1 plus the combined rate as a decimal. At 7.42% combined: $108 ÷ 1.08 ≈ $100 before tax.
Is shipping taxable in South Carolina?
Rules differ by state. See our shipping tax calculator and South Carolina Department of Revenue guidance to learn whether delivery, freight, and handling are taxable on your order.
Use this page for quick South Carolina sales tax estimates, receipt checks, and reverse tax calculations. For the most accurate result, choose the closest city rate or verify the exact address-level rate with the official source, then enter that percentage in the calculator.
Disclaimer: Rates are for informational and educational purposes and may be incomplete or outdated. Always verify with the official South Carolina revenue authority or a qualified professional before filing or making business decisions.