Charleston County · South Carolina
Charleston, SC sales tax rate
South Carolina exempts groceries from the state 6% but local option taxes can still apply, and residents 85 and older may claim a 1% exemption.
Quick answer
The combined sales tax rate in Charleston, SC is 9% as of January 1, 2026 — 6% state + 2% county + 1% special district. On a $100 purchase that is $9 in tax, for a total of $109. South Carolina's statewide base is 6%.
- Combined rate
- 9%
- State share
- 6%
- Local share
- 3%County + city + districts
- Tax on $100
- $9
Calculate Charleston sales tax
Pre-filled with the Charleston combined rate.
Sales tax calculator
The full combined rate of 9% applies to general merchandise.
Enter a pre-tax amount to see the tax due in Charleston, SC.
- Pre-tax
- $100
- Sales tax at 9%
- $9
- Total
- $109
Tax is rounded to the nearest cent on the full transaction, which is how most registers compute it. Line-item rounding can differ by a cent or two on long receipts.
Jurisdiction breakdown
Every layer that makes up the combined rate, and how much of the total each one contributes.
| Jurisdiction | Level | Rate | Share of total |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina state | state | 6% | 67% |
| Charleston County local option and transportation | county | 2% | 22% |
| Charleston County education capital improvement | special district | 1% | 11% |
| Combined rate | 9% |
Charleston sales tax reference table
Tax due at 9% on common purchase amounts.
| Purchase | Sales tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $10 | $0.90 | $10.90 |
| $25 | $2.25 | $27.25 |
| $50 | $4.50 | $54.50 |
| $100 | $9.00 | $109.00 |
| $500 | $45.00 | $545.00 |
| $1,000 | $90.00 | $1090.00 |
| $5,000 | $450.00 | $5450.00 |
| $25,000 | $2250.00 | $27250.00 |
Reverse out sales tax
Enter a receipt total and we split the item price from the 9% tax collected.
Backing out 9% for Charleston, SC.
- Item price before tax
- $100
- Sales tax collected
- $9
What this rate applies to
South Carolina publishes the taxable base separately from the rate. Groceries, prescription drugs, clothing and services are treated differently state to state, and several categories in South Carolina are taxed at reduced rates or exempt entirely. South Carolina exempts groceries from the state 6% but local option taxes can still apply, and residents 85 and older may claim a 1% exemption. Check the South Carolina Department of Revenue guidance for the category you are pricing before assuming 9% applies.
Charleston at a glance
- Population
- 155,369
- Median household income
- $87,246
- County
- Charleston County
- ZIP codes covered
- 7
Neighboring districts tax profiles
The closest covered jurisdictions by county and ZIP sectional centre, with the rate difference against this metro.
Compare Charleston with another metro
Side-by-side rate stacks and the dollar difference on a $1,000 purchase.
Cities near Charleston
Straight-line distance, estimated drive time and the rate charged there.
Download this metro's data
The Charleston jurisdiction stack, combined rate (9%), effective date and Census figures are published as open files. Free to use with attribution — no key, no signup.