05/29/2026
New 2027 tax laws for watercrafts and motors (H3858)
The Auditor’s Office Information Concerning Watercraft and Motors
Beaufort County is one of five South Carolina counties that has already been granting a tax break on watercrafts, which currently reflects as a 6% assessment ratio on the bills. Starting in January 2027, the ratio will change to 10.5%, and the tax break will appear on bills as an exemption that reduces 42.75% of the watercraft’s fair market value. Beginning 2030, the exemption will increase to 42.8571%.
The auditor's office has asked many questions to the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) about this new law. For instance, boat hulls that are already tax-exempt because their taxable value is $833.00 or less. Adding a motor to the hull increases the total value, but does that mean the hull is no longer exempt, or will it be grandfathered?
This question, and many more, are being asked of SCDOR.
If residents have any questions about this new boat law, please let us know. We will ask SCDOR before our September meeting with them. Please submit your questions via our website at https://www.beaufortcountyauditor.com/
Use the subject: SCDOR Boat Tax Questions.
The Beaufort County Auditor's office of South Carolina is responsible for assessing the values of all personal property. We create tax notices for both personal and real property and levy the millage provided to us by the county and municipalities.
