Tax Payer Services
Vehicle Tax

Vehicle Tax

In South Carolina, taxes on your vehicle are paid a year ahead. Before you can register your vehicle with the SC Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), you must first pay the property taxes that are required in the county in which you reside. If you are a resident of Horry County, you can file your vehicle with the Horry County Auditor’s Office (to get a tax bill) and pay your vehicle taxes to the Horry County Treasurer at the same time by visiting one of our convenient locations.

The Auditor’s Office is issued Assessment Guides by the South Carolina Department of Revenue. We must use these guides to assess your property. This is SC state law.

In order to cut down confusion and avoid errors, we do not give estimates over the phone. There are too many variables which determine your correct assessment and this needs to be done in person.

New Resident of Horry County Or Newly Purchased Vehicle Needing a License Plate

You will need to bring with you your registration; or title; or bill of sale.

  • Obtain a vehicle tax notice from the Horry County Auditor's Office.
  • Pay the tax notice in person at the Horry County Treasurer's Office with check or money order (payable to Horry County Treasurer), cash or Visa/MasterCard/Discover. Convenience fees apply to all tax payments made with a credit or debit card.
  • Take receipt to S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles to obtain a license plate and registration.
  •  Maintain tax receipt for annual income tax purposes or obtain a duplicate receipt online at Tax Payments & Receipts.

Newly Purchased Vehicle Where Dealership Obtained License Plate

A Dealer Affidavit tax notice will be mailed to the address provided by the dealership. This notice resulted from your car dealership notifying the Horry County Auditor’s office that you recently purchased a vehicle.  As a result, this bill is due upon receipt and if not paid within 120 days from the date of purchase, your driver’s license &/or license tag will be suspended through the SC Department of Motor Vehicles.  The dealership paid for your South Carolina sales tax only.

Pay the tax notice:

  • In person, at the Horry County Treasurer's Office present tax notice with check or money order (payable to Horry County Treasurer), cash or Visa/MasterCard/Discover. Convenience fees apply to all tax payments made with a credit or debit card.
  • Through the mail with check or money order. Make check/money order payable to Horry County Treasurer, include tax notice and write the notice number on the check.
  • At the Horry County Treasurer's Office night deposit boxes for convenient after business-hours payment. Checks or money order only, made payable to the Horry County Treasurer, include tax notice and write the notice number on the check.

Tax receipt will be mailed to address on tax notice. Maintain receipt for annual income tax purposes.

Buying a Vehicle from an Individual

You will need to bring a Bill of Sale or a correctly filled out Title with you to register that vehicle. Also, If you would like to transfer a license plate, the car must be in the same name or you must obtain a new license plate.

Registering your vehicle with the S.C. DMV

After you have paid your tax bill, you can register your vehicle with the S.C. DMV. For more information about what you must bring to the DMV to register your vehicle and for DMV office locations, visit http://www.scdmvonline.com

Renewal of Existing Vehicle with License Plate

  • Renewal tax notices are mailed to residents approximately one month before the expiration of the license plate according to address and vehicle information on file with the S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles.  
  • Review tax notice thoroughly before paying. See back of notice for more information.
  • Address corrections must be made with the SC Department of Motor Vehicles.
  • High mileage discount is only available the month your taxes are due. This is State Law

Pay the tax notice:

  • In person, at the Horry County Treasurer's Office present tax notice with check or money order (payable to Horry County Treasurer), cash or Visa/MasterCard/Discover. Convenience fees apply to all tax payments made with a credit or debit card.
  • Through the mail with check or money order only. Make check payable to Horry County Treasurer, include tax notice and write the notice number on the check.
  • At the Horry County Treasurer's Office night deposit boxes for convenient after business-hours payment. Checks or money order only, made payable to the Horry County Treasurer, include tax notice and write the notice number on the check.
  • Online at Tax Payment & Receipts. Convenience fees apply to all tax payments paid online.
  • By phone, call: 1-866-830-3582.  Convenience fees apply to all tax payments paid by phone.

Tax receipt will be mailed along with your decal and SC Vehicle Registration from the SC Department of Motor Vehicles. To ensure delivery, notify SC DMV of address change: www.scdmvonline.com or visit your local SC DMV field office. Maintain receipt for annual income tax purposes or obtain a duplicate receipt online at www.horrycounty.org. Go to Online Services, then click Tax Payments & Receipts.

Late Payment of Vehicle Tax Notice

  • Late penalties must be paid at a branch of the Department of Motor Vehicles.  Do not include with payment of vehicle tax bill.

Pay the tax notice:

  • In person, at the Horry County Treasurer's Office present tax notice with check or money order (payable to Horry County Treasurer), cash or Visa/MasterCard/Discover. Convenience fees apply to all tax payments made with a credit or debit card.
  • Through the mail with check or money order only. Make check payable to Horry County Treasurer, include tax notice and write the notice number on the check.
  • At the Horry County Treasurer's Office night deposit boxes for convenient after business-hours payment. Checks or money order only, made payable to the Horry County Treasurer, include tax notice and write the notice number on the check.
  • Online at Tax Payment & Receipts. Convenience fees apply to all tax payments paid online.
  • By phone, call: 1-866-830-3582. Convenience fees apply to all tax payments paid by phone.

* Late registration penalties:

  • Late registration penalties of up to $75 are charged and collected by DMV for failing to renew a vehicle license prior to the expiration date. You will be billed by DMV for any late registration fees due after you have paid your property taxes. When you receive your bill for late penalties, you can pay them online at www.scdmvonline.com or visit your local SC DMV field office.

Helpful Information and Useful Links

  • Always review your tax notice thoroughly before paying. See back of notice for more information.
  • Convenience fees apply to all tax payments made in person with a credit or debit card, paid online or paid by phone.
  • Address corrections must be made with the SC Department of Motor Vehicles.
  • Late penalties must be paid at a branch of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Do not include with payment of vehicle bill.
  • Questions regarding vehicle billing/discounts, contact the Horry County Auditor’s office.
  • Always include the notice number on check.
  • Always include the tax notice with payment.
  • Duplicate receipt available online at Tax Payments & Receipts.
  • NOTICE NUMBER -- A number assigned to each notice and is used when posting payments and making references.
  • SC Department of Motor Vehicle