SC Taxes(Greenville County) (Myrtle Beach, Greer: fit in, houses, purchasing)

[HowardRoarke]

Traveler's Rest area, here.

Property taxes (total) on our 2100 s.f. house are $1200, and they used to be $1500. About 1/5 of what we paid for a smaller, and older, house in Upstate, NY. Highest utility bill was last summer (2010) and that was around $300. Usually around $150 during winter. SC utilities are a little higher than other states, but we're not complaining 'cause we came down from NY where they're atrocious.

Vehicle property tax doesn't affect us too much. I drive older, but nice, trucks and SUV's, mostly, and our prime mover is an '06 we bought used last year. I think we paid $400 for both vehicles' property taxes this year. Our income tax burden is lower than that of NY, we save on sales and gas taxes (NY charges internet sales taxes at the point of sale), and SC has fewer hidden taxes and fees compared with other states.

I agree that the state needs a safety inspection for vehicles, as well as an emissions equipment check for older vehicles. This is coming from a hard~core libertarian, and I didn't think along those lines when we moved here. Vehicles don't rust, hardly, but the heaps I see moving down the road in various parts of the state can look downright scary and unsafe. A simple safety check alone would be a boon to repair shops across the state, and would make driving less of a scary deal when maneuvering around said heaps.

[janrey]

Originally Posted by 370z

Thank you so much for that.That's not bad for all electric! I have a 1500 sq. ft. house here in CA, also has gas & mine is much more then that! It's just my husband & I also.
What about your water bill? sewer, trash,etc? Thanks.

Trash I pay about $60/quarter. I could get it for about $40/quarter because my HOA worked out a deal with another company but I've been too lazy to switch. In the county vs. the city where it's included in your tax bill (and it's comparable) you shop around for trash collection.

Water I'm not sure if it's in the city tax bill or separate but the city of Greenville pays less than county I'm told. I'm billed directly by Greenville Water and pay quarterly, it covers sewage. This past 4 bills were:

12/10 $116
3/11 $139
6/24 $127
9/16 $135

The only other "house" expenses are insurance (about $600/year) Cable, internet and phone. I pay way too much for Cable internet and phone, almost $200 a month combined. I'm just not quite willing to switch to Charter for everything.

[janrey]

Originally Posted by 370z

Are your emergency services included with your property taxes? I know in parts of TN you need to pay extra(apprx. $400) for ER services or they don't come out! I had never heard of that before.
What % of home value are your property taxes(apprx.) Thanks.

Yes, that is the millage rate. Property taxes include in my area (which would vary depending on what part of the state you lived in):

GREENVILLE COUNTY SCHOOLS
COUNTY OPERATIONS
FIRE
LIBRARY
METRO SEWER TAX
GREENVILLE TEC
GREENVILLE COUNTY RECREATION
ART MUSEUM
AUD. DIST DEBT SERV

It also includes separately outside of the millage a stormwater & metro sewer fee as opposed to tax?!? You then are given a credit for part of the Greenville County Schools portion if the home is your primary residence. If it's a secondary home or rental property no credit is given.

All in all my bill was about $1100 this year after I fought the original assessment and got an adjustment and refund. The cities have additional taxes and fees that living in the county outside the city limits doesn't have but I think they are offset by what I have to pay to get those services outside the system, such as trash collection.

[370z]

Thank you all so much for the info. One last question (for now) Is sales tax 6 or 7%?

[myrc60]

Sales tax is 6% in Greenville County.

Greenville Water System will switch to a monthly billing system next year.

[370z]

Originally Posted by myrc60

Sales tax is 6% in Greenville County.

Greenville Water System will switch to a monthly billing system next year.

Thank you!

[myrc60]

Also should have added food is taxed at 0% but prepared food (i.e., a rotisserie chicken, etc.) is taxed at 6% I believe.

[370z]

Originally Posted by myrc60

Also should have added food is taxed at 0% but prepared food (i.e., a rotisserie chicken, etc.) is taxed at 6% I believe.

That's how it is here in CA. Thanks.

[emilybh]

If Greenville County was smart it would lower if not get rid of that 6% tax on prepared food to give people more of an incentive to eat out.

[Pat Grissinger]

We pay 7% sales tax in Pickens County, none on groceries, but our property taxes are lower. Average 145,000 home is in the 700-750 range.