If you buy a home in Horry County, the single biggest factor in your property tax bill may be one form. This Homes Myrtle guide explains South Carolina's 4% and 6% assessment ratios, how to apply for the 4% legal residence rate in Horry County, and the Homestead Exemption.
We explain the mechanism; we do not calculate your bill or give tax advice. Millage rates vary by tax district and change from year to year. Confirm any figure with the Horry County Assessor or Auditor. Rules below are as of October 2026.
How South Carolina Property Tax Is Calculated
In South Carolina, your tax is based on assessed value, not market value. Per the SC Department of Revenue, assessed value equals fair market value times the assessment ratio. The bill is then the assessed value times the millage rate for your tax district, where one mill is $1 per $1,000 of assessed value, minus any credits or exemptions.
The assessment ratio is the key number:
- 4%: owner-occupied legal residence (primary home), per SC DOR.
- 6%: second homes, rentals, and other residential property not approved for the 4% ratio.
Because assessed value is multiplied by the same millage either way, moving from 6% to 4% lowers that part of the bill by roughly a third, before other factors. In Horry County, the county's Guide to Assessment adds another point: a 4% legal residence is also exempt from school operating millage, so the actual difference is often larger.
The 4% Is Not Automatic
You must apply to the Horry County Assessor for the 4% legal residence ratio; it is not applied by default. According to the county (as of October 2026), if you do not file, the property is assessed at 6%. The county asks for proof of residency, which can include a South Carolina driver's license, SC vehicle registration, and South Carolina income tax returns.
Timing matters. The county's guide says to apply before the first penalty date for the tax year. Its example: for tax year 2024, apply between January 1, 2024 and January 15, 2025. Confirm the current year's window with the Assessor's office at 843-915-5040 or [email protected].
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Who Qualifies for the 4% Rate
The 4% ratio applies to the home you own and live in as your legal residence. Under SC Code 12-43-220(c), it covers up to five contiguous acres. You can claim it on only one home. A second home or a home you rent out is assessed at 6%. If you are relocating, see our Moving to Myrtle Beach guide for other first-year tasks.
Homestead Exemption for 65+, Disabled, or Blind Homeowners
South Carolina's Homestead Exemption removes the first $50,000 of a legal residence's fair market value from property tax. Per SC DOR (as of October 2026), it is available to owners who are 65 or older, totally and permanently disabled, or legally blind. In Horry County, the Auditor's office handles Homestead applications (843-915-5051). The Homestead Exemption is separate from the 4% ratio, and qualifying owners generally need both. Our Retiring to Myrtle Beach guide covers more on retiring here.
Reassessment and Rollback Millage
Horry County reassesses all property periodically, and state law requires a rollback in millage during reassessment years. The county's guide explains that the rollback is meant to keep total revenue from rising just because values rose. Individual bills can still go up or down depending on how a property's value changed. If you disagree with your value, the guide explains the appeal process and deadlines.
Vehicles and Other Taxes to Know
Personal vehicles in South Carolina are taxed every year at a 6% assessment ratio, per SC DOR. The vehicle tax is billed by the county along with registration. The statewide sales tax is 6%, and local add-ons vary. See our Cost of Living in Myrtle Beach guide for the bigger picture.
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Why Millage Varies Within Horry County
Your total millage depends on your tax district. Districts combine county, school, and special-purpose levies with city millage inside towns such as Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Conway, and Surfside Beach. We do not publish Horry County millage figures here because we could not confirm the current levy from an official county document. The Horry County Auditor publishes the certified levy each year.
Before You Close
Ask how the property is currently assessed. A seller's bill at 4% may not match what you will pay as a second-home owner at 6%, or the reverse. Our team can help you read the tax record, and the Assessor can answer questions about your specific situation.
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