How to Appeal Your Tax Assessment in Horry County, South Carolina If you've received a new tax assessment for your property in Horry County and believe it's incorrect, you can appeal it by following these steps:
1. **Review Your Assessment Notice**: - Carefully examine the assessment notice to ensure all information is correct.
2. **Understand the Appeal Deadline**: - Note the deadline for filing an appeal, typically within 90 days of the assessment notice date.
3. **Gather Supporting Evidence**: - Collect documentation supporting your claim for a lower assessment. This may include recent appraisals, sales data of comparable properties, or evidence of the property’s condition.
4. **Complete the Appeal Form**: - Obtain the appeal form from the Horry County Assessor's Office or download it from their website. Fill out the form with the necessary details.
5. **Submit Your Appeal**: - Send the completed appeal form and supporting evidence to the Horry County Assessor's Office. You can submit it by mail, in person, or sometimes online. Keep copies of all documents for your records.
6. **Attend the Hearing**: - If your appeal is accepted, you will be notified of a hearing date. Attend the hearing to present your case to the Board of Assessment Appeals. Be prepared to answer questions and provide additional information if requested.
7. **Await the Decision**: - After the hearing, the board will review your case and make a decision. You will be notified of their decision in writing.
8. **Further Appeal (if necessary)**: - If you are not satisfied with the board's decision, you may have the option to appeal to the South Carolina Administrative Law Court.
For more details and any updates to the process, visit the Horry County Assessor's Office website Appeal Your Tax Assessment at Horry County or contact them directly.
Understanding Property Value Increases Property values in Horry County can be increased by up to 15% over the previous assessment. This is within the county's rights, though sometimes errors can occur. If the county increases the assessed value by no more than 15%, it generally falls within their regulations.
When a property is sold or significantly improved, the new value is established by the sale price or the value of the improvements, which is not bound by the 15% rule.
For example, if a property previously assessed at $350,000 sells for $500,000, the new assessed value will be $500,000. This new value cannot be disputed based on the previous assessment.
By following these steps and understanding the guidelines, you can effectively manage your property tax assessment appeals in Horry County.
