When is the reporting of Business Personal Property due?
The reporting of Business Personal Property is due four months after your accounting closing period. As an example, a taxpayer that has a calendar year accounting closing period of December 31 will be required to file a timely return by April 30. As another example, a taxpayer with a June 30 account closing period will be required to file a timely return by October 31.
Who is required to file a Business Personal Property Tax return?
A Business Personal Property Tax return is required to be filed by all businesses, including any business (foreign or domestic) that leases equipment located in South Carolina.
What is Business Personal Property Tax?
Business Personal Property Tax is a property tax on the furniture, fixtures and equipment that are owned and used to operate a business. Inventory, land and building should not be included.
What if I fail to file my Business Personal Property?
If you fail to file your Business Personal Property, an estimated value will be assessed and sent to the county auditor with a 10% late file penalty. The estimated value will be based on the prior year’s return.
When and who do I pay?
You should receive a bill from the County Treasurer after September 1 with payment due on or before the following January 15 of each year. Payment for Property Tax should be remitted to the County Treasurer. Do not send payment for Business Personal Property Tax to SCDOR.
Is depreciation allowed on the Business Personal Property filing?
Yes. Depreciation is allowed at the same rate allowed for South Carolina Income Tax up to a maximum allowance of 90%. A 10% residual must be retained for assets which have been depreciated beyond 90% for South Carolina Income Tax.
What values should be reported?
The gross capitalized cost of all business furniture, fixtures and equipment for income tax purposes should be reported.
Can I use my Post Office Box as my location?
A Post Office Box will not be accepted as the location of your business. You must provide the physical street address of your business.
What if I don’t currently have a Business Personal Property Account established and I am a first time, new filer?
If you have a new business and do not have a Business Personal Property Account established with the SCDOR, you can register your new business or tax account through
MyDORWAY.
Is software included and taxable on the Business Personal Property filing?
Software is taxable if sales and use tax was paid and should be included on the Business Personal Property filing.
Should leased equipment be reported on the Business Personal Property filing?
You will need to refer to your lease agreement as to who is responsible to file for the equipment and who is responsible for payment of the tax.
What is the assessment ratio for Business Personal Property Tax?
Business Personal Property is assessed at 10.5%.
Can I file one return for all my locations?
Yes, regardless of the number of business locations that you have, you will file ONE BPP return for all of your locations.
How do I file for Business Personal Property?
How do I change my Business Personal Property mailing address?
Change your Business Personal Property mailing address can be done online or by using a paper form:
- Online using
MyDORWAY
- Log into
MyDORWAY and go to your BPP account
- Choose the "Names and Addresses" tab
- Click on the address under the "Account Names & Addresses" heading
- Choose "Change this address"
- Update the address as necessary and click the verification button
- When all changes are correct, click "Submit"
- By paper using a PT-100
- Complete the mailing address section
- Check the "new address" box
- Write "new mailing address" at the top of the return
Who do I contact for assistance with the Business Personal Property Tax?
For help with any questions, please contact the SCDOR Business Personal Property Section at 803-898-5222 or
bpproperty@dor.sc.gov.
How is my tax bill calculated?
The tax bill is calculated by multiplying the net depreciated value by 10.5% to obtain the assessed value of your property. The assessed value is forwarded to the County Auditor in the county in which the property is located. The County Auditor applies millage applicable for the taxing district in which the property is located. Payment is due on or before January 15 of each year.
When I download my PT-100 in a ".csv" format, can I save this file to another file format (e.g., Excel (.xls))?
While the CSV (Comma Separated Values) file may be opened in various software programs, including Excel, it must be saved in the .xlsx format. The file format extension must be changed to .xlsx to be accepted by the MyDORWAY BPP/PT-100 workflow wizard. It is permissible to read the CSV file into Excel, but it must be saved as a XLSX file before uploading the file to MyDORWAY.
What do I need to do if the Social Security Number I entered does not work and I have no filing information available?
The most frequent cause of not having information available is because the SCDOR has the filings under a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN). You need to file using your FEIN number.
What do I need to do if the Social Security Number or FEIN I entered are correct and I have no filing information available?
Please contact the SCDOR Business Personal Property Section at 803-898-5222 or email at
bpproperty@dor.sc.gov.
