South Carolina Sales Tax Calculator 2026: 6% + Local Rates

South Carolina Sales Tax Calculator 2026

South Carolina charges a 6% state sales tax, and counties add local option, capital projects, school and transportation taxes of up to 3%, so combined rates run from 6% to 9%. The average is 7.49%. Unprepared food is exempt from the state tax, and shoppers aged 85 or older pay 5% instead of 6% on the state part. A tax-free weekend in August covers clothing and school supplies with no price cap. Enter your county's local rate below to add tax or remove it from a total.

By AwaisLast reviewed October 28, 2026

South Carolina sales tax at a glance

South Carolina sales tax rules
Type of tax	Sales and use tax
State rate	6%
Local rates	Average 1.49%, highest 3.00%
Average combined rate	7.49%
Groceries	No state tax; some local taxUnprepared food has been exempt from the 6% state tax since 2007. Local taxes apply unless the specific local tax exempts food.
Prescription drugs	ExemptPrescription medicines are exempt from state and local sales tax.
Clothing	Taxed (August tax-free weekend)Clothing is taxed, except during the August tax-free weekend (7 to 9 August in 2026), which had no price cap.

Local averages are population-weighted figures from the Tax Foundation: State and Local Sales Tax Rates, Midyear 2026 (rates as of 1 July 2026). They are a guide, not the rate at any one address. For the exact rate where you buy, use the SCDOR local sales taxes (rate charts and address map).

Worked examples

A $650 refrigerator in a 9% county

A $650 refrigerator in a 9% county
Rate	6% state + 3% local = 9%
Price before tax	$650.00
Sales tax	$58.50
Total	$708.50

Working: $650.00 × 9% = $58.50. This uses the highest local rate in the state. In a county with only the 1% local option tax, the same fridge would be taxed at 7%.

Working back from a $107.49 total at the 7.49% average

Working back from a $107.49 total at the 7.49% average
Rate	6% state + 1.49% local = 7.49%
Price before tax	$100.00
Sales tax	$7.49
Total	$107.49

Working back: $107.49 ÷ 1.0749 = $100.00, so the tax was $7.49. Dividing by 1.0749 shows a $100 price. Enter your county rate instead of the average for a real receipt.

Local taxes and food

Counties in South Carolina can levy several 1% local taxes, each for a purpose: a local option tax, capital projects, school districts, transportation and tourism development. Local rates reach 3%, and the Department of Revenue publishes rate charts by county and municipality plus an address map. Groceries are a little complicated: unprepared food is exempt from the 6% state tax, and some local taxes, such as capital projects, education capital improvement and certain transportation taxes, also exempt it, while others still apply.

Tax-free weekend and the senior rate

South Carolina's tax-free weekend runs in early August; in 2026 it was 7 to 9 August. It covered clothing, footwear, school supplies, computers and some bed and bath items with no price cap, but not items bought for business use. Separately, shoppers who are 85 or older pay a 5% state rate instead of 6% on their purchases, though local taxes still apply in full; the store may ask for proof of age.

South Carolina vs. neighboring states

South Carolina sales tax compared with neighboring states
State	State rate	Avg. combined	Groceries
South Carolina	6%	7.49%	No state tax; some local tax
North Carolina	4.75%	7.10%	2% local food rate
Georgia	4%	7.56%	No state tax; local tax applies

Average combined rates are from the Tax Foundation, midyear 2026 report. See sales tax rates for every state for the full table.

Frequently asked questions

Are groceries taxed in South Carolina?

Unprepared food is exempt from the 6% state sales tax. Some local taxes still apply to groceries and others exempt them, so a grocery bill usually carries 0% to 3% in local tax.

When is the South Carolina tax-free weekend?

It is held in early August. In 2026 it ran from 7 to 9 August and covered clothing, shoes, school supplies, computers and some bed and bath items with no price cap.

Do seniors pay less sales tax in South Carolina?

Yes. Shoppers aged 85 or older pay a 5% state rate instead of 6%. Local sales taxes still apply at the full rate.

What is the highest sales tax rate in South Carolina?

Local taxes reach 3%, so the highest combined rate is 9%. Many counties charge 7% or 8%. The Department of Revenue rate charts list every county and city.

What is the sales tax rate in South Carolina in 2026?

The statewide rate is 6%. Local taxes add 1.49% on average and up to 3.00%, so the average combined rate is 7.49% (Tax Foundation, rates as of 1 July 2026).

How do I calculate South Carolina sales tax on a purchase?

Add the state and local rates, then multiply the price by that rate as a decimal. At 7.49% (the state rate plus the average local rate), tax on $100 is 100 × 0.0749 = $7.49, for a total of $107.49. To go back from a receipt total, divide it by 1 plus the rate.