SC Rip's Off Citizens (Columbia, Greenville: sales, real estate, lease)

[Jam116]

et me start by saying I've lived in 12 states...SC is the highest taxed state I've seen...And yes I lived in FL..

Last state was TN..No personal property tax on vehicles. No state income tax. 9.5% sales except on high end items then you get a break.... TN rates
2004 F-250 tags 75.00 SC 600.00 tax plus tag
2004 Fiver tags 35.00 SC 200.00 tax plus tags
2004 Motorcycle Tags 35.00 SC 200.00 tax plus tags
2006 Mini Cooper S Tags 35.00 SC 600.00 tax plus tags
1951 Motorcycle Antique tag 10.00 SC 600.00 tax plus tag

Bought a F-450 this year $1300.00 tax plus 300.00 commercial tax...Had to get commercial tag because of weight even though it is not for commercial use...
The part that really su@ks is that this is every year..... Think this state needs a Radio Talk show that attacks the politicians like TN had to keep the taxes low...
I support a higher sales tax and kill income tax....It is fair for all then..More you make the more you spend...fact of life....Keep personal property tax on homes and land but drop it on cars.......This state keeps unsafe cars on the road. Some people could afford the car payments but can not afford the payments and the taxes.....
Heck the insurance rates went up over 800.00 per year by moving here on our vehicles...House taxes are about the same...
I'm amazed that the citizens have not revolted about how they are treated....I recently found out about a new major Corporation coming into the area and they do not have to pay taxes for 10 years...Well they say it will help the economy.. Sure it will and the citizens will have to pick up the tax bill.

[justNancy]

But isn't the cost of living as a whole in SC lower than in a lot of areas? I've been looking at real estate and in areas like Columbia/Irmo and Greenville the homes cost 1/2 of what they do in FL, even in this market. The property taxes are also very low. The one thing about states like TN and NH is that although they don't have an income tax on wages, they do tax dividends and interest, so if someone is retired and living off of an IRA, savings and other investments. TX and FL don't tax any income. However, the property taxes in TX are outrageous and FL is close behind. I think every area has its good & bad and you need to make a list of positives & negatives and see how each affects your lifestyle.

[drfranklin]

Jam I'm with you on this one.

I will be moving back to the Upstate in January. Here in Chattanooga my car tags for 2 relatively new cars comes to whopping $65. I am DREADING my first registration in SC - I expect to pay HUNDREDS of dollars.

Additionally, I plan to rent a home for a year or two - so I will not realize the low property taxes there.

Another rant: high state income tax - 7% for the highest bracket (one of the highest in the country, see: State Comparisons). Mark Sanford and the state legislature need to raise the low cigarette taxes and give some TAX RELIEF!

End rant

[jtatscha]

Drfranklin, why are you moving back, if Tn. is cheaper? Will you have a higher paying job in Sc.?

I live in Ms. and we pay 7% sales tax on everything, I pay $400.00 a year for taxes on a mobile home, and if you have a new vehicle you are going to pay between $250 & $450 for a tag(it will decrease each year). We do not have vehicle property tax, so I am concerned about this issue and I am wondering if something may offset the extra tax such as higher paying jobs.

[drfranklin]

To jtatscha,

Yes, I have lined up a higher paying job.

And, its not just the money: we plan to move closer to family. Also, I just find the Upstate of SC a notch above SE TN in terms of shopping, activities, and natural beauty. The taxes, however, are another issue !

[Jam116]

Originally Posted by justNancy

But isn't the cost of living as a whole in SC lower than in a lot of areas? I've been looking at real estate and in areas like Columbia/Irmo and Greenville the homes cost 1/2 of what they do in FL, even in this market. The property taxes are also very low. The one thing about states like TN and NH is that although they don't have an income tax on wages, they do tax dividends and interest, so if someone is retired and living off of an IRA, savings and other investments. TX and FL don't tax any income. However, the property taxes in TX are outrageous and FL is close behind. I think every area has its good & bad and you need to make a list of positives & negatives and see how each affects your lifestyle.

My property taxes in TN were a little over 1/2 of what they are here....

[Jam116]

Originally Posted by drfranklin

Jam I'm with you on this one.

I will be moving back to the Upstate in January. Here in Chattanooga my car tags for 2 relatively new cars comes to whopping $65. I am DREADING my first registration in SC - I expect to pay HUNDREDS of dollars.

Additionally, I plan to rent a home for a year or two - so I will not realize the low property taxes there.

Another rant: high state income tax - 7% for the highest bracket (one of the highest in the country, see: State Comparisons). Mark Sanford and the state legislature need to raise the low cigarette taxes and give some TAX RELIEF!

End rant

If I had it to do again I would kept my home in TN and claimed that as my main residence....We leased it..... The education system is one thing if you have school age children..It's awful..

[Jam116]

I moved to take care of family (Father) he recently passed away so I'm looking at moving back as soon as I can sell this house...Living is cheaper in TN and I like that side of the Mountains better...

[Jam116]

That is wild how all the html got into the first message...Was not there when I posted it..?

[NoodlesKnowles]

wow, I registered a 94 buick century, only had to pay 35 bucks in taxes, glad I don't have a newer car....