Sales Tax and Registration

General Boats and Motors
1

I’m buying a Sea Hunt in NC, live in TN and have a 2nd home in SC. I’ve been looking online but have not been able to determine if SC residency is required to register a boat in SC. TN boat tax is 7% and not capped. Thanks for any advice!

2

If you can’t find an answer, PM me, I have a few friends at DNR I can call.

“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”, but really, who cares?

3

SC residency is not required to register a vessel in SC. You need a bill of sale which is usually printed on the back of the current title. Then you mail in the Application: http://www.dnr.sc.gov/boating/forms/pdf/Application.pdf

You will indicate the County of primary use with the County Code. Casual Excise Tax is 5% capped at $500. Next year after registering you will get county property tax for hull & motor (taxed separately). These vary by county and are due next year by the owner of the boat on 12/31 of the previous year. Also know each county treats the tax differently; Charleston county DOES NOT prorate the tax if you sell the boat or move the boat to TN during the year. So sell a boat on 1/15 and still owe the full tax.

Nice people in Columbia can answer any questions 803-734-3857 Also note they take a while to get you the numbers.

Regards

4

Sales tax ain’t no cheaper in S.C. if boat and motor is bought sepertly, but bought as a package I think the cap was $300 but I think it has gone up!

5

if the boat lives here, even if you don’t, you are suppose to register it here.
we do it for customers all the time.

www.teamcharlestonmarine.com
www.bombislandboats.com
IF I RESPOND IN ALL CAPS, ITS NOT ON PURPOSE, AND I AM NOT YELLING

6
quote:
Originally posted by boatpoor

Sales tax ain’t no cheaper in S.C. if boat and motor is bought sepertly, but bought as a package I think the cap was $300 but I think it has gone up!

As of July of 2017 (I believe) it went up to $500.

“…be a man and PM me.”

7

Man thats a deal, I bought a motor in Ga and had to pay $1060.00 S.C. sales tax!

8

IF YOU BUY JUST A MOTOR IN SC THE SALES TAX IS NOT CAPPED AT $500

www.teamcharlestonmarine.com
www.bombislandboats.com
IF I RESPOND IN ALL CAPS, ITS NOT ON PURPOSE, AND I AM NOT YELLING

9

When quoting a repower, I’ve been offered to “sell” my boat to the dealer. They install the new motor and “sell” the boat and motor back to you. An $18K Suzuki runs $1260 in sales tax…

Scott
Summerville, SC
1977 23’ Mako CC

10

Its sad the state of SC is so greedy we have to do things like buy and sell the boat back…Its just plan absurd they tax new motors with no cap…Absolute taxation robbery

11

I had to register mine in TN… at 7.5% sales tax. That hurt… and is ridiculous.

12
quote:
Originally posted by mugwump4

When quoting a repower, I’ve been offered to “sell” my boat to the dealer. They install the new motor and “sell” the boat and motor back to you. An $18K Suzuki runs $1260 in sales tax…

Scott
Summerville, SC
1977 23’ Mako CC

Scott … please PM me the name of the business that concocted this scam. want to avoid contact with this no integrity organization …

13
quote:
Originally posted by satisfied

Its sad the state of SC is so greedy we have to do things like buy and sell the boat back…Its just plan absurd they tax new motors with no cap…Absolute taxation robbery

isnt it more like capping taxes on anything, in particular luxury items like boats and high end vehicles, that is absurd?

14
quote:
Originally posted by P-K
quote:
Originally posted by satisfied

Its sad the state of SC is so greedy we have to do things like buy and sell the boat back…Its just plan absurd they tax new motors with no cap…Absolute taxation robbery

isnt it more like capping taxes on anything, in particular luxury items like boats and high end vehicles, that is absurd?

I am as financially conservative as they come, and this isn't going to be a very popular position, but I think it is terribly unfair to people on the lower income levels. if you purchase a $5000 or less car or boat, you pay 9% sales tax. If you buy a $500,000.00 boat, you only pay $500 in sales which means you paid like .005%. that's just not any more fair than the poor guy pays 10% income tax and the rich guy pays 30% income tax. fair is fair on both sides.

www.teamcharlestonmarine.com
www.bombislandboats.com
IF I RESPOND IN ALL CAPS, ITS NOT ON PURPOSE, AND I AM NOT YELLING

15

Exactly. Agree on both accounts!