| Taxes and Fees |
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The Finance Department is responsible for the assessment and collection of most taxes and fees in the City. The Department is responsible for the accurate accounting of all taxes and fees. Click below to learn more about these items: Real Property Tax Personal and Business Property Tax Business License Fees Permit Fees Garbage Fees Recycling Fees Hospitality Fees Accommodations Fees Criminal/Traffic Violations Parking Violations |
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Real Property Tax
The City of Beaufort utilizes real
property taxes as its primary source of revenue for public operations.
Real property tax is based on the assessment levied by the Beaufort
County Assessor's Office. City Council sets a millage rate
which is applied by Beaufort County to the
assessed value of real
property. All real property taxes are paid to the County, which in
turn distributes the City's portion to the Finance Department. |
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Personal and Business Property Tax Personal and business property taxes are levied against tangible property including:
These items are assessed by the
County Auditor's
Office and a millage rate is applied against the assessed value.
The County collects these taxes and distributes them to the Finance
Department. |
Business License Fees The State of South
Carolina requires that localities assess business license fees against
the gross revenue of business operations. The City of Beaufort
collects fees according to Standard Industry Classification (SIC) codes.
Fees are applied to all businesses operating in the City, including
those operations based elsewhere. For more information contact the
Business License Division. |
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Permit Fees
Fees associated with building and other
permits are collected by the City's Codes Division. Permit fees
are collected at the time the permit application is submitted. For
more information, contact the Codes
Division. |
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Garbage Fees
All residents in the City of Beaufort are
required to participate in the City's
Solid Waste Collection program. The program is managed by the
Department of Public Works. Fees are assessed to all residences in
the City, and to participating businesses. Fees are collected in
conjunction with water bills by the Beaufort Jasper Water Sewer
Authority. |
Recycling Fees
Per City ordinance, all residents must
participate in the City's recycling
program. The program is managed by the Department of
Public Works. A fee is assessed for recycling services and are
collected in conjunction with water bills by the Beaufort Jasper
Water Sewer Authority.
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Hospitality Fees
All businesses serving prepared foods are
required to assess a hospitality fee to customers. There is a 2%
local fee imposed by the business on each customer for the purchase of
prepared foods or beverages. This 2% hospitality fee is then
reported and paid monthly to
the Business License department |
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Accommodations Fees
There is a 3% local fee imposed by the
business on each customer nightly accommodations provided by hotels,
motels, inns, beds & breakfast, etc. This 3% accommodations fee is then
reported and paid monthly to
the Business License department. |
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Criminal/Traffic Violations The City's Municipal Court collects fees associated with violations of City ordinances. In addition to these fees, the Municipal Court remits fees associated with state criminal and traffic assessments to the appropriate state department. For more information on these fees, contact the Beaufort Municipal Court. |
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Parking Violations
Fees associated with violations of the
City's parking ordinance may be paid at drop boxes throughout the
central business district, or at Beaufort City Hall located at 302
Carteret Street. |
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