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Charleston County, SC
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Delinquent Tax

The Delinquent Tax Division investigates and collects delinquent real and personal property taxes, penalties and levy costs; finds and notifies taxpayers of taxes owed; and maintains an accurate, up-to-date account of monies collected. Once a property tax bill is deemed delinquent (after March 15 of each year), the debt goes into execution and the County Treasurer sends the bill to the Delinquent Tax Division for collection. The Delinquent Tax Division also works closely with the Register of Deeds, Auditor and Revenue Collections.

Responsibilities

  • Send out notices for past-due taxes on personal and real property.
  • Seize property for non-payment, in accordance with S.C. Code of Laws, Title 12
  • Plan, conduct and manage tax sales
  • Perform post-sale work, such as title and mortgage research and deed creation

Contact

Delinquent Tax

Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Services Building
Map 4045 Bridge View Drive
North Charleston, SC 29405

Phone: (843)202-6570
Fax: (843)202-6066

For Delinquent Car/Vehicle:
(843) 958-4200, Option 2

Office Hours
Mon. - Fri. 8:30am - 5pm

Service Centers

All County DepartmentsAll Departments

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I purchase properties seized for non-payment of taxes?

Attend the tax sales once a year, usually in the fall or winter. The dates of delinquent tax sales are advertised in local newspapers before each sale.

Can I make payments on my delinquent taxes or redeem my property in installments?

No. However, if you owe several years' taxes and your property has not already been sold at tax sale, you may pay one year at a time. You must pay the oldest year first.

What methods of payment are accepted for delinquent taxes?

Cash, personal checks, business checks, certified checks, money orders and credit cards are acceptable during most of the year. However, during specified periods, cash, certified checks or money orders are required. (Please call the Delinquent Tax Division for details.)

If I pay someone else's delinquent tax bill, does the property become mine?

No. Anyone can pay a tax bill. However, payment of someone else's tax bill does not give one claim to the property.

If my property is sold at a delinquent tax sale, can I get it back?

When real property or mobile homes are sold at a delinquent tax sale, the defaulting taxpayer has one year from the date of the sale to redeem the property. In order to redeem property before it is conveyed to a new owner, the defaulting taxpayer must pay the redemption amount. This consists of the taxes, interest on the bid amount (the amount for which the property was sold at the tax sale) plus penalties and levy costs.

If my property is sold at a delinquent tax sale, what happens to any leftover money after the taxes, penalties, levy costs and interest are paid?

The Delinquent Tax Division creates an overage when the bid amount exceeds the delinquent taxes, penalties, levy costs and current year's taxes. If the property is conveyed to the bidder, the defaulting taxpayer is entitled to the overage. If the delinquent taxpayer redeems the property, the bid amount plus interest is returned to the bidder.

What happens to properties not sold at the annual Delinquent Tax Sale?

Properties not sold at the Delinquent Tax Sale will be placed in a sealed-bid, silent auction typically held about a month following the initial auction. A list and instructions will be available online when the sale is open. If no information is available online, then the sale has closed and no properties are available for bid.

Related Information

Delinquent Tax Sale

FOIA Request Form


Municipalities

City of Charleston
City of Folly Beach
City of North Charleston
City of Isle of Palms
Town of Awendaw
Town of Hollywood
Town of James Island
Town of Kiawah Island
Town of Lincolnville
Town of McClellanville
Town of Meggett
Town of Mount Pleasant
Town of Ravenel
Town of Rockville
Town of Seabrook Island
Town of Sullivan's Island

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