South Carolina Car Taxes & Fees (2026)
| Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF) | 5% — capped at $500South Carolina charges a 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee instead of sales tax on vehicle purchases, capped at $500 — so any vehicle over $10,000 pays a flat $500. |
| Trade-in tax credit | YesNo vehicle sales tax, so the credit has no tax effect. |
| Doc fee | No state cap (calculator default $499)No state limit - fees average $300-$600 |
| Title fee | $15 |
| Registration fee | $40 |
| Inspection & emissions | No safety inspection · no emissions testingNo statewide safety inspection and no emissions/smog testing anywhere in the state; the SCDMV may require a VIN/condition check only in title-problem or missing-title situations. |
Full fee reference with negotiation tips: South Carolina car buying costs
South Carolina OTD Price Questions
What is the sales tax on a car in South Carolina?
Vehicle purchases in South Carolina are subject to a 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF), capped at $500. South Carolina charges a 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee instead of sales tax on vehicle purchases, capped at $500 — so any vehicle over $10,000 pays a flat $500. On a $35,000 purchase that works out to $500 at the statewide rate.
Does South Carolina give a trade-in tax credit?
Yes. South Carolina taxes the selling price minus your trade-in value. With no state sales tax on vehicles, the credit has no tax effect — the trade-in simply reduces the amount due.
What is the doc fee cap in South Carolina?
South Carolina has no state-mandated cap on dealer documentation fees. No state limit - fees average $300-$600
How much are taxes and fees on a $35,000 car in South Carolina?
Using 2026 statewide figures — $500 in Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF), a $15 title fee, about $40 in registration, and a typical $499 doc fee — taxes and fees add about $1,054 (3.0%), for an out-the-door total of roughly $36,054. Local taxes can move that number.
Do I need a vehicle inspection or emissions test in South Carolina?
No statewide safety inspection and no emissions/smog testing anywhere in the state; the SCDMV may require a VIN/condition check only in title-problem or missing-title situations.
More OTD Calculators
Sources & Data
South Carolina tax, title, registration, and doc fee data compiled from state DMV and Department of Revenue publications; last reviewed . Estimates use the statewide rate — local taxes and value-based fees vary by address and vehicle. Always confirm against your dealer's written, itemized quote.
Know your South Carolina OTD. Now check if it's a good deal.
See what buyers actually paid for the same model, search live inventory, or have a dealer quote checked line by line.