South Carolina Reverse Sales Tax Calculator
South Carolina has a 6% state sales tax, and local counties add varying amounts. Charleston County stacks on a full 3% local option for a combined 9%. Columbia (Richland County) hits 8%. But Greenville stays at 6% with no local addition. The statewide average is 7.43%.
The calculator defaults to South Carolina's 7.43% average. For Charleston and Myrtle Beach use 9%, Columbia 8%, Greenville 6%. Groceries are exempt from the state portion, though local taxes may apply depending on the county.
Current South Carolina Sales Tax Rates
| Component | Rate |
|---|---|
| State rate | 6.00% |
| Average local rate | 1.43% |
| Average combined rate | 7.43% |
| Location | Combined Rate |
|---|---|
| Columbia | 8.00% |
| Charleston | 9.00% |
| Greenville | 6.00% |
| Myrtle Beach | 9.00% |
What's Taxable in South Carolina
South Carolina taxes groceries at a reduced state rate of 0% (groceries are exempt from the state 6% rate since 2007). However, local counties may levy their own taxes on groceries. Some South Carolina counties add a 1–3% local option tax that applies to food. Prepared food is taxed at the full combined rate. Prescription drugs are exempt.
Worked Example
Purchase in Charleston totaling $163.35 at 9.00%.
$163.35 ÷ 1.0900 = $149.86 (pre-tax price)
$163.35 − $149.86 = $13.49 (tax amount)
That's $13.49 in sales tax on a $149.86 purchase before tax. The main calculator handles this automatically — enter the total and rate and the breakdown appears instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Charleston (and most of Charleston County) has a combined rate of 9% — South Carolina's 6% state rate plus a 3% local option tax Charleston County has adopted. Columbia runs at 8%. Greenville County has no local addition, so Greenville stays at 6%.
South Carolina exempts groceries from the state 6% sales tax. However, local counties can apply their local option taxes to food. In counties with a 1% local option, you'd pay 1% on groceries; in Charleston County with a 3% local option, 3% on groceries. Greenville County has no local tax, so groceries there are fully tax-free.
Divide the total amount paid by (1 + the tax rate as a decimal). For South Carolina's 7.43% rate: divide by 1.0743. The result is the pre-tax price. Subtract that from the total to get the tax amount. The calculator on this page does this automatically.
South Carolina holds an annual sales tax holiday for clothing, school supplies, and computers, typically in early August. Check the South Carolina Department of Revenue for 2025 dates.