In South Carolina, tax collector's sell tax lien certificates to the winning bidders at the delinquent property tax sales. The winning bidder is the one willing to pay the most for the tax lien certificate.

The homeowner has approximately one (1) year from the date the tax lien certificate was purchased to redeem. Depending on when the homeowner redeems he or she will be charged a 3% to 12% penalty. Upon the expiration of the one (1) year redemption the investor may apply for the tax deed.

Tax Sale Type: Tax Lien Certificates (Sec. 12-51-130 )

Contact: County Tax Collector (Sec. 12-51-60 )

Interest Rate: None

Penalty Rate: 3% to 12% (Sec. 12-51-90 )

Bid Procedure: Premium Bid (Sec. 12-51-55 )

Redemption Period: One (1) year (Sec. 12-51-90 )

Law: ode of Laws of South Carolina, Title 12, Chapter 51 - "Alternate Procedure for Collection of Property Taxes"

Additional Notes:

Penalty due at Redemption: According to (Sec. 12-51-90 ) 'the defaulting taxpayer, ...may within twelve months from the date of the delinquent tax sale redeem each item of real estate by paying to the person officially charged with the collection of delinquent taxes, assessments, penalties, and costs, together with interest...'

According to (Sec. 12-51-90 (B) ) the amount charged to redeem is based on the month during the redemption period that the property is redeemed;

• First three months (3%) percent of the bid amount
• Months four, five, and six (6%) percent of the bid amount
• Months seven, eight, and nine (9%) percent of the bid amount
• Last three months (12%) percent of the bid amount

According to (Sec. 12-51-100 ) 'Upon the real estate being redeemed,...The successful purchaser, at the delinquent tax sale, shall promptly be notified by mail to return the tax sale receipt to the person officially charged with the collection of delinquent taxes in order to be expeditiously refunded the purchase price plus the interest provided in Section 12-51-90'.

According to (Sec. 12-51-130 ) upon 'failure of the defaulting taxpayer,... to redeem realty within the time period allowed for redemption, the person officially charged with the collection of delinquent taxes, within thirty days or as soon after that as possible, shall make a tax title to the purchaser or the purchaser's assignee'.

South Carolina Tax Sale Discussion

Below you will find a collection of the latest user questions and comments relating to Tax Lien Certificates South Carolina.

Druie Cavender

I attended the Nov. 2012 Newberry County tax sale. I have asked for the winning bids for each of the properties that sold, but have been told that such information is not available to the public. I thought that all real estate transactions were public information. Is Newberry County legally required to share that information?

Dan Wilson

It says you have to wait until the (1) year redemption period has expired before you can apply for the tax deed.

Vernon Collier

I am retired and interested in South Carolina tax lien certificates. How soon after you purchase the tax certificate before you can get the property?

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Counties located in South Carolina

The following is a list of counties located in the state of South Carolina.

Tax Lien Certificates for properties located in the following counties are sold at South Carolina county tax sales.

Learn more about each county's individual tax sale process by clicking on the name of the county for which you are interested from the list below:

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