Property tax on Airstream in South Carolina

[TheParula]

Hi , I too live in NV. Please is that property tax you said $3500 or is that what I refer to as regristratration fees? Just wondering if we owe more $

[TheParula]

States get what they want, more money no mater how they go about it . You pay

[wimpy]

Don't know if this would be helpful, but SC does have a homestead exemption if that could be applicable.

[Lotus54]

A number of states have ‘personal property tax’. Not just real estate.

[Alex AVI]

Originally Posted by TheParula

Hi , I too live in NV. Please is that property tax you said $3500 or is that what I refer to as regristratration fees? Just wondering if we owe more $

THEPARULA - well, of course most of us typically just refer to all the expenses we pay DMV as "registration fees". And for simplicity, yes, it is the cost of registering/owning the vehicle. But as a matter of accuracy, the basic Registration Fee in NV for most vehicles (including mopeds & low speed vehicles) is $33/yr. and for TT is $27/yr.

The $3,500 I had to pay the 1st year is part of what they call Governmental Services Tax(es). These taxes are based on the original Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) set when the vehicle was new. The MSRP will not change over time regardless of vehicle age or condition. They then calculate 2 DMV valuations from that MSRP in order to come up with 2 different taxes:

1. The first calculation is called the Governmental Services Tax. It is based on the DMV Valuation of the vehicle, which is 35% of MSRP. The valuation is then depreciated 5% after the first year and 10% per year thereafter until it reaches a minimum of 15%. We pay 4 cents on each $1 of the depreciated DMV Valuation. The minimum Governmental Services Tax is $16.00.

2. The second calculation is called the Supplemental Governmental Services Tax and is 1 cent on each $1 of the depreciated DMV Valuation.

These are essentially Personal Property Taxes, those that are specifically allowed to be deducted from Fed IRS Tax forms. Yeah, you are so right on, they get & keep wanting more money, no matter how they get it. Would you believe they charge $33 for mopeds? They even charge $10 for golf carts?

[Mansderm161]

I like Tenn. Who knows, I might!

[tjmartini]

If the trailer has a bathroom, bedroom, etc. it is considered a house in SC. Therefore, property tax is required. You pay 4% for your primary residence and 6% for secondary (Airstream).

[Mansderm161]

The horry county office in SC told me they would only classify it as a 2nd home if I took the tires off and put it on blocks....her exact words.

[Bill M.]

Well, why would an Interstate be taxed as a second home? Really?

[Edistobob]

Originally Posted by Mansderm161

The horry county office in SC told me they would only classify it as a 2nd home if I took the tires off and put it on blocks....her exact words.

The 6% assessment ratio for RVs is codified in state law. I will try to find a code reference for you, but Horry County is flat wrong. Further, it is not actually being classified as a second home. It is classified as a vehicle which is eligible for a 6% assessment ratio.

[Edistobob]

Originally Posted by wimpy

Don't know if this would be helpful, but SC does have a homestead exemption if that could be applicable.

The homestead exemption is applicable only for people over 65 and only on a primary residence.

[68 TWind]

Many times states/localities with high ad valorem tax on vehicles will have much lower property taxes. Renters have to pay for schools and stuff. Takes some of the burden off home owners. OTOH, if you have a high dollar vehicle, it can hurt but in the end -the state is going to get its money from one source or another.

[Mansderm161]

Thanks. Let me know. I THINK THATS WHY SOMEONE TOLD ME TO JUST GO TO A DIFFERENT TAX OFFICE..

[Lily&Me]

It would be very disconcerting if a different tax office gave you different information and assessed a different...or no...tax on your Interstate.

We pay sales tax at the time of purchase, wherever that may be, then an annual tag fee which for me is about $100.

Maggie

[Mansderm161]

I know, but lets just say they do things different in the south! I moved here from Ohio, and it's just different. We pay sales tax for the purchase but its capped at $500, then you pay personal property tax each year till you sell it in addition to yearly tag fees. I'd happily pay because when you look around down here, you think they really need the money, but then you wonder how well they are actually managing the money....hummmm. And, not everyone who is employed here knows what they are doing. It is not uncommon to get totally different answers from different employees. There are quite a few who are obviously impaired, iykwim!

[StreamNTyme]

Originally Posted by Mansderm161

Curious if anyone has feedback on AI property tax in SC. I paid $1800 last year for new Airstream Interstate. Was told it would not be classified as second home unless I took tires off and put it up on blocks! Just got new tax bill...$1780. I was expecting a little more depreciation than that!

We have to go to the county every year to get the 2nd home reduction and it has cut our taxes severely. We still have 4 wheels on our Airstream. I do not know about rigs w motors but you certainly do have the right to dig further to find out if they are wrong. Many of our friends also have to show up when they get the tax and get it fixed. Don't give up.

[Edistobob]

Ok, here is a link to the form that Charleston County uses to grant the 6% assessment ratio on RV's: https://www.charlestoncounty.org/dep...TaxCampers.php . Part of your certification is that you are not already getting an exemption for an actual second home.

And following is a link to the applicable SC statute about the equivalency to a second home rate, and there is NO requirement that wheels must be off. In fact, the law defines a trailer as "... that is pulled by a motor vehicle"--can't do that with the wheels off! Look for Section 12-37-224(A) in the following link: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t12c037.php

If Horry County insists they are correct, contact the State Auditor or Treasurer's Office and/or possibly the DMV. The DMV coordinates the annual registration and taxes with each county. Keep us posted on how things work out. There should absolutely not be a difference among counties on how this is handled--it is governed by state law, not county ordinances.

[Mansderm161]

Thanks. Will do

[CruizinDux]

Originally Posted by NoResults

Mansderm161 You can call me son or dad depending on your age and register here in Oregon. A lot less.

Dave

Go ducks and beavers..plus no sales tax. Great place to buy an rv

[Silvertwinkie]

Originally Posted by Bill M.

Well, why would an Interstate be taxed as a second home? Really?

Prob the same reasons that allow you to make interest deductions on your federal income tax return when financing an RV as it can be considered a second home if it has a bathroom, bed and sink(s).


Not saying I agree with "personal property" taxes, just pointing out the allow us to consider it a second home at tax time, and the locals just jumped on that bandwagon to add more to their coffers at our expense.