South Carolina Car Registration Fee Calculator

What Is the South Carolina Car Registration Fee Calculator?

The South Carolina Car Registration Fee Calculator is an online tool that helps you estimate your total vehicle-related costs. This includes:

• One-time Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF)
• Optional Title Fee
• Optional Registration Fee
• Annual County Property Tax based on assessed value and millage rate

This tool helps new car buyers, used car owners, and residents moving into South Carolina understand what to budget for.

How the Calculator Works (Plain and Simple)

To get your estimate, you enter three things:

1. Vehicle Purchase Price
2. Assessed Value of your car
3. Local Millage Rate

You can also check boxes to include:

• $15 Title Fee (one-time)
• $40 Registration Fee (every 2 years)

Once you click “Calculate Fees”, the tool shows a detailed breakdown of your first-year costs and a total for the first two years.

Fee Breakdown: What Each One Means

Let’s walk through each fee the calculator includes — and why it matters.

1. Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF)

• 5% of the purchase price
• Capped at $500
• This replaces sales tax on vehicles in South Carolina.
• Paid once, at the time of purchase or registration.

Example: Buying a $30,000 vehicle = $500 IMF (capped)

2. Certificate of Title Fee

• Optional in the calculator
• $15 one-time
• You need a title to prove vehicle ownership

Check this box if you’re titling a car for the first time.

3. Registration Fee

• Optional in the calculator
• $40 every two years
• Required to legally drive the car on South Carolina roads

Good to include if you’re moving or re-registering a vehicle.

4. County Property Tax

• Based on:
  • Assessed Value (usually lower than market value)
  • Millage Rate (varies by county)
• This is a yearly tax
• Calculated as:
  Assessed Value × 0.06 × (Millage Rate ÷ 1000)

Example:
If your assessed value is $15,000 and millage rate is 250:
$15,000 × 0.06 × 0.25 = $225/year

Why This Calculator Matters

South Carolina’s fee system is a mix of local and state costs. That means the total can vary a lot depending on:

• Where you live
• What your car is worth
• How often you register

The calculator gives you transparency and control. No more guessing. No surprise bills.

Step-by-Step: How to Use the Calculator

1. Enter Vehicle Purchase Price
   (e.g., $25,000)
2. Enter Assessed Value
   This comes from your county or prior bill.
3. Enter Your Local Millage Rate
   Find this on your county treasurer’s website.
4. Select Optional Fees
   Title and Registration
5. Click “Calculate Fees”

You’ll get:

• One-time total (IMF + optional title)
• Annual property tax
• Two-year estimate including all selected fees

Reset and Recalculate Anytime

Made a mistake? Hit the “Reset” button and start fresh. You can recalculate as many times as you need.

Behind the Scenes: What the Calculator Does

The calculator uses a few formulas:

• Infrastructure Maintenance Fee
  min(purchase price × 0.05, $500)
• Title Fee
  + $15 (if checked)
• Property Tax
  (assessed value × 0.06) × (millage rate ÷ 1000)
• Registration Fee
  + $40 (if checked)

It then adds these up to give you:

• First-Year Total
• Two-Year Estimate

Everything is displayed in a clear breakdown with line-by-line costs and totals.

Where to Find Millage Rates and Assessed Values

• Check your county treasurer’s website
• Look at previous property tax bills
• Call your local DMV or assessor’s office

Final Thoughts: A Tool That Saves Time and Stress

The South Carolina Car Registration Fee Calculator isn’t just helpful — it’s essential if you’re budgeting for a vehicle in the state. It eliminates the guesswork and helps you plan your finances with clarity.

Whether you’re buying new, registering used, or moving from another state, this tool helps you understand exactly what you’ll pay — and why.

Summary (for Quick SEO Reference)

• Tool Name: South Carolina Car Registration Fee Calculator
• Use Case: Estimate vehicle taxes and fees
• Key Inputs: Purchase price, assessed value, millage rate
• Included Fees: Infrastructure Maintenance Fee, Property Tax, Title Fee, Registration Fee
• Best For: New buyers, used car owners, people relocating to SC
• Calculator Output: Itemized breakdown + 2-year total
• User Actions: Input values, click calculate, view results