GuidesSouth Carolina
How to buy tax-sale property in South Carolina (2026)
You buy a deed, but the former owner can still redeem the property for a set period. The owner has 1 year from the sale to pay you back. A redemption penalty applies, but it is not documented. You win with the highest bid. Sales are held on a schedule that varies by county.
How South Carolina tax sales work
South Carolina uses redeemable deed sales in the state registry. The official rule describes the sale as follows: “shall make a tax title to the purchaser or the purchaser's assignee” What the winning bidder receives, and the steps after the sale, depend on the county's published terms.
Interest, penalty, and redemption
The registry records 3% months 1-3; 6% months 4-6; 9% months 7-9; 12% months 10-12. The base redemption rule is 12 months from the sale. Exceptions, notice requirements, and enforcement steps can change the practical timeline, so read the current county notice and the cited statute.
| Period | Rate or penalty |
|---|---|
| months 1-3 | 3% |
| months 4-6 | 6% |
| months 7-9 | 9% |
| months 10-12 | 12% |
Use the schedule in the official statute and county notice when calculating a redemption amount.
Auction format and timing
The registry records highest bid as the bid method and on a schedule that varies by county for the sale schedule. The statute or official rule linked below controls the auction date, location, notice, and bidding format. When the schedule is not documented statewide, verify the date with the county treasurer, tax collector, sheriff, or other selling authority.
Registration, payment, and bidder steps
Registration, deposits, payment methods, and deadlines are often set by the selling county. The verified bidder record is shown below; any field labeled unknown must be confirmed with the county before registration.
How to bid here · South Carolina
In personWhether the sale is online, in person, by sealed bid, or a mix. The format decides how you register and whether you can react to other bids. See the full glossary for more terms.- 1.The officer charged with collecting delinquent taxes advertises the property and the sale is held at public auction at the courthouse or another convenient place within the county on the advertised date (12-51-50)
- 2.The officer submits an opening bid on behalf of the forfeited land commission equal to all unpaid property taxes, penalties, assessments, and costs (12-51-55)
- 3.Bid at the public auction; the property is sold to the highest bidder
- 4.The successful bidder pays the full amount of the bid on the day of the sale in cash, cashier's check, certified check, or money order (12-51-50, 12-51-60)
- 5.The officer furnishes the purchaser a receipt and the treasurer marks the public tax records as paid by the tax sale (12-51-60)
- 6.If the successful bidder fails to remit in legal tender within the time specified, the officer cancels the bid and readvertises the property (12-51-70)
- RegistrationSigning up as a bidder before the sale. Counties set the deadlines and paperwork, which may include an application, identification, and a no-delinquent-taxes statement. See the full glossary for more terms.
- Required: UnknownUnknown
Not verified from a source yet.
- DepositMoney you must post before or at the sale, often a flat amount or a percentage of your bid. It is usually applied to the purchase price if you win and is often non-refundable if you fail to pay. See the full glossary for more terms.
- Required: UnknownUnknown
Not verified from a source yet.
- FormsPaperwork a county may collect before you can bid, such as a bidder ID card or a W-9 for tax reporting. See the full glossary for more terms.
- Bidder ID card: UnknownW-9: Unknown
- EligibilityRules about who may bid. Some counties restrict non-residents or bar anyone who owes delinquent taxes from participating. See the full glossary for more terms.
- Residency required: UnknownNo delinquent taxes: Unknown
- PaymentHow and when you must pay after winning. Certified or cleared funds are common and personal checks usually are not; missing the deadline typically forfeits your deposit. See the full glossary for more terms.
- CashCertified funds
payable in full on the date of the sale
South Carolina delinquent tax sales are conducted in person at public auction by the officer charged with collecting delinquent taxes. State law sets the payment forms and timing but does not require bidder registration or a deposit; counties such as Horry may add a registration requirement and fee. The forfeited land commission submits the opening bid. Redemption by the owner or lienholder is twelve months (12-51-90 et seq.).
Official state and county sources
SourceS.C. Code § 12-51-130; § 12-51-90S.C. Code § 12-51-90(A)S.C. Code § 12-51-90(B)S.C. Code § 12-51-50; § 12-51-55S.C. Code § 12-51-50
| County | Sale type | Redemption | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abbeville County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Aiken County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Allendale County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Anderson County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Bamberg County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Barnwell County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Beaufort County | redeemable deed | 12 months | Bid4Assets |
| Berkeley County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Calhoun County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Charleston County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Cherokee County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Chester County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Chesterfield County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Clarendon County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Colleton County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Darlington County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Dillon County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Dorchester County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Edgefield County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Fairfield County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Florence County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Georgetown County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Greenville County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Greenwood County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Hampton County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Horry County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Jasper County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Kershaw County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Lancaster County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Laurens County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Lee County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Lexington County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Marion County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Marlboro County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| McCormick County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Newberry County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Oconee County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Orangeburg County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Pickens County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Richland County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Saluda County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Spartanburg County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Sumter County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Union County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| Williamsburg County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
| York County | redeemable deed | 12 months | not documented |
The registry lists 46 South Carolina counties. Documented platforms: Bid4Assets (1).
Related guides
FAQ
- What do I actually buy at a South Carolina tax sale?
- The investor buys a deed to the property, but the former owner keeps a window to redeem and reclaim title.
- How long does the owner have to redeem the property in South Carolina?
- 12 months (1 year) from the sale date
- What interest or penalty do I earn on a South Carolina tax sale?
- A penalty applies per period, amount not documented.
- How is the winning bidder chosen in South Carolina?
- The parcel or lien goes to the highest bidder at auction.
Track South Carolina sales as they post
Get alerts when new South Carolina auctions and parcels appear, and see the plans that unlock the full parcel book.
Not legal, tax, or investment advice. Read the full disclaimer.