Real South Carolina deals, worked out
Each example runs through the same calculator above, line by line, so you can check every number yourself.
1Charleston: $38,000 new car
A buyer pays $38,000 for a new car. The 5% fee would be $1,900, but the $500 cap applies.
| Vehicle price | $38,000.00 |
| Infrastructure maintenance fee (5%, max $500) on $38,000.00 | $500.00 |
| Title fee | $15.00 |
| Registration (2 years) | $40.00 |
| Out-the-door | $38,555.00 |
2Moving to South Carolina
A new resident brings a car already registered to them in another state and pays the flat $250 fee.
| Car's value (already owned) | $22,000.00 |
| Infrastructure maintenance fee (new resident) on $22,000.00 | $250.00 |
| Title fee | $15.00 |
| Registration (2 years) | $40.00 |
| Total due | $305.00 |
The infrastructure maintenance fee
Since July 1, 2017 the IMF has replaced sales tax on vehicles titled in South Carolina. The dealer collects it at 5%, but never more than $500. On a sale by someone who isn't a dealer, it's 5% of the car's fair market value, still capped at $500. A car first registered in another state by the same owner pays $250, except for active-duty military members and their families.
South Carolina car tax at common prices
What a new gas car bought from a dealer comes to at four prices. The trade-in column shows how much a $10,000 trade-in changes the tax under South Carolina's rules.
| Price | Tax | Tax with $10,000 trade-in | Taxes + fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| $15,000 | $500.00 | $250.00 | $555.00 |
| $25,000 | $500.00 | $500.00 | $555.00 |
| $35,000 | $500.00 | $500.00 | $555.00 |
| $50,000 | $500.00 | $500.00 | $555.00 |
Title, registration and property tax
The title fee is $15 ($35 expedited). Most registration fees are paid every two years, and hybrids add $60 and electric cars $120 to each registration. Your county also bills yearly property tax on the car, often the largest recurring cost.
South Carolina taxes and fees at a glance
Officialfrom a state agency sourceEst.varies or not yet confirmed
| Item (charleston: $38,000 new car) | Status | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure maintenance fee (5%, max $500) | Official | $500.00 |
| Title fee | Official | $15.00 |
| Registration (2 years) | Estimate | $40.00 |
| Total taxes and fees | $555.00 |
South Carolina car tax FAQ
Does South Carolina have sales tax on cars?
No. It charges a 5% infrastructure maintenance fee, capped at $500.
How much do new residents pay in South Carolina?
A flat $250 IMF for a car first registered in another state by the same owner.
How much is the South Carolina EV fee?
$120 added to each registration for electric cars and $60 for hybrids.
Sources
We build every number from these agency pages. If something has changed, tell us and we'll fix it.