SC boat tax reform bill passes House, heads to governor’s desk

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - A bill that will cut boat property taxes almost in half is heading to South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster’s desk after passing the House Tuesday.

The House passed the bill unanimously Tuesday, after the Senate passed it on third reading with a vote of 39-1 on March 5.

In addition to cutting boat property taxes, the bill would eliminate the need for outboard motors to have separate titles and allow boat owners to consolidate tax notices for the boat, motor, and watercraft into a single notice.

South Carolina currently has one of the highest boat tax rates in the country at 10.5%. Under the new bill, tax rates would be reduced to 6% over three years, with the new rate fully in place by 2030.

Gov. McMaster has previously signaled his support for lowering boat taxes, but has not officially signed the bill at this time

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