Originally Posted by
racclarkson@gmail.com
I seem to hear a good bit of negative re: PP. Way too much growth too fast.
The counties are definitely after the revenue. I don't understand the 4 mos. deal you mentioned (or getting a bill from a town under any circumstances) unless you stayed more than 6 months and split between marinas in Charleston County. The marinas are required to report monthly on boats docked, and the counties also access USCG documentation records. They do tend to start at the high end 11% personal property rate. It's automatic to get it to 6% (non-primary residence) by asking. I know a good many boaters who qualify for the primary residence 4% rate and leave it on the table. Charleston, as counties go in SC, is pretty easy to work with.
I don't get the speed trap analogy in this case. You can stay six months, often longer, with no tax liability. And, if you're paying property tax somewhere else, you aren't liable in SC or anyplace else I'm aware. Looks like transients are the one's getting the break on this one. You may recall the court case involving yacht taxation that went to SC Supreme Court several years back decided in county's favor. I can assure you us locals are paying.
But just to make sure our well earned small southern hick-town image is kept in tact, I can give you some towns that make it up on fines. We like to think our out of state guests are courteously extended preferential treatment. Y'all come back now, ya hear!