South Carolina imposes a state sales tax on the sale of tangible personal property and certain services. In addition to the state sales tax, many counties and municipalities in South Carolina levy their own local sales taxes. This calculator helps you determine the total sales tax and the final price for your purchases within South Carolina.
How South Carolina Sales Tax Works
The South Carolina Department of Revenue oversees the collection of sales tax. The standard state sales tax rate is 7%. However, this rate can be supplemented by local sales taxes, which can vary significantly by county and municipality.
Key Components of South Carolina Sales Tax:
State Sales Tax: A base rate applied statewide.
Local Sales Tax: Additional taxes imposed by counties and cities, often for specific purposes like education or infrastructure.
This calculator allows you to input your purchase price and both the state and any applicable local sales tax rates to get an accurate total. For instance, many counties have a 2% local tax, bringing the combined rate to 9% in those areas. Some areas may have different combinations of local taxes.
How to Use This Calculator
1. Purchase Price: Enter the total amount before any taxes are applied.
2. State Sales Tax Rate: The default is 7.0%, which is the standard South Carolina state rate. You can adjust this if specific exemptions or rates apply, though the 7% is standard for most taxable goods.
3. Local Sales Tax Rate: If you know the specific local sales tax rate for the county or city where the purchase is being made, enter it here. If you are unsure or the purchase is not subject to local tax, leave this at 0.0%.
The calculator will then display the calculated sales tax amount and the total cost including both state and local taxes.
Important Considerations
South Carolina has exemptions for certain items, such as groceries (though prepared foods and dining out are typically taxed), prescription medications, and certain agricultural products. Always consult the South Carolina Department of Revenue or a tax professional for specific guidance on taxability and exemptions for particular goods or services. This calculator provides an estimate based on the rates entered.
function calculateSalesTax() {
var purchasePrice = parseFloat(document.getElementById("purchasePrice").value);
var scRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById("scRate").value);
var localRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById("localRate").value);
var salesTax = 0;
var totalCost = 0;
if (!isNaN(purchasePrice) && purchasePrice >= 0 && !isNaN(scRate) && scRate >= 0 && !isNaN(localRate) && localRate >= 0) {
var combinedRate = scRate + localRate;
salesTax = (purchasePrice * combinedRate) / 100;
totalCost = purchasePrice + salesTax;
document.getElementById("result").innerHTML =
"Sales Tax: $" + salesTax.toFixed(2) + "" +
"Total Cost: $" + totalCost.toFixed(2) + "";
} else {
document.getElementById("result").innerHTML =
"Please enter valid positive numbers for all fields.";
}
}