Overview
What doesn't look the same is what shows up next: South Carolina taxes cars every year as personal property, based on 6% of the vehicle's value times your county's millage rate, and - unlike the IMF - that bill has no cap. A buyer who chases the $500 IMF ceiling on a luxury truck can end up owing more in year-one property tax alone than the IMF and title fee combined. The calculator below itemizes both pieces so you see the whole picture, not just the counter total.
01 - Official fees
South Carolina tax, title & license fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure Maintenance Fee | 5% of price, capped at $500 | trade-in reduces the taxable base on dealer sales |
| Title fee | $15.00 | |
| Base registration (biennial) | $40.00 | $38 at age 64, $36 at 65+ |
| EV road-use fee | $120.00 | biennial, on top of base registration |
| Hybrid road-use fee | $60.00 | biennial, on top of base registration |
| First-year property tax | value × 6% × millage | paid to your county, due before the first renewal |
| Out-of-state vehicle (new resident) | $250 flat IMF |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your county treasurer/auditor for property tax, then the SCDMV for title and registration - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How South Carolina's first-year bill actually works
- 1
Buy the vehicle; a dealer collects the IMF and title paperwork, or a private seller signs the title over to you.
- 2
File Form 400 (Title and Registration Application) with the SCDMV within 45 days of the sale.
- 3
Pay the IMF (or the flat $250 if you're titling a vehicle you already owned out of state), the $15 title fee, and the $40 (or discounted senior) registration.
- 4
Watch for your county's first vehicle property tax bill - it arrives separately and is due before your registration can renew.
- 5
Pay the county treasurer directly (online, by mail, or in person); the county then clears you with the SCDMV to renew.
03 - Same state, other costs
More South Carolina vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
South Carolina tax, title & license FAQ
How much does it cost to title and register a $30,000 car in South Carolina?
The IMF hits its $500 cap on anything over $10,000, so a $30,000 purchase owes $500 IMF + $15 title + $40 registration = $555 at the SCDMV. Your county's separate first-year property tax bill (6% of value × local millage) typically adds several hundred more.
Is the $500 IMF cap real - does a $100,000 truck really pay the same as a $10,000 car?
Yes. The IMF caps at $500 for every vehicle titled at or above $10,000, so the state's title-time cut on a six-figure truck and a compact sedan is identical. It's the reason South Carolina's headline vehicle tax looks cheap for expensive vehicles - the annual property tax is where that flips.
Why does my county send me a separate tax bill after I already paid the SCDMV?
The IMF and property tax are two different systems entirely. The IMF is a one-time SCDMV fee at titling; the annual property tax is billed by your county treasurer based on the vehicle's assessed value and never disappears - you'll get a new bill every year you own the car.
Does a trade-in lower my South Carolina IMF?
At a dealership, yes - the IMF is 5% of the price minus your trade-in allowance, still capped at $500. Trading a $10,000 vehicle against a $25,000 purchase drops the taxable base to $15,000, but since 5% of $15,000 is $750, you'd still just pay the $500 cap either way on a purchase this size.
I'm moving to South Carolina with a car I already own - what do I owe?
A flat $250 IMF instead of the 5%/$500 calculation, since you're not buying anything new - you're just titling an existing vehicle in the state. Add the $15 title fee and $40 registration, then expect your new county's property tax bill on top.
Do I pay property tax before or after I register?
Before. South Carolina requires a paid property tax receipt from your county before the SCDMV will issue or renew your registration - it's the opposite order of most states, and it's the single biggest point of confusion for new residents.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.