​​​​​​More than 240,000 employees work in South Carolina's agribusiness industry, which has an annual impact of more than $46 billion, according to the state's Department of A​griculture.

Those businesses include at least 25,000 farms as well as food producers and timber-related firms.

If you operate an agribusiness in South Carolina, check out these tax tips from the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) to help sav​e money on your taxes.

Review tax credits that may be available to you.

South Carolina tax credits apply to specific circumstances. Review the facts in your situation to see if any of the credits related to agribusinesses detailed below apply to you:

• ​Agribusiness Income Tax Credit: Agribusiness operations or agricultural packaging operations that increase their purchases of South Carolina-grown farm products by 15% or more in a calendar year qualify for this credit, which cannot exceed $100,000. This nonrefundable credit must be certified by the Coordinating Council for Economic Development and may apply to Income Tax or Withholding Tax. The credit can carry forward five years for Income Tax and 20 quarters for Withholding Tax.
• Anhydrous Ammonia Credit: If you use anhydrous ammonia for agricultural purposes, you may qualify for this refundable credit. The credit equals the amount paid to buy the additive for the ammonia required by state law.
• Drip/Trickle Irrigation Systems Credit: You are eligible for this credit if you buy and install conservation tillage equipment, a drip/trickle irrigation system, or dual purpose combination truck and crane equipment. This nonrefundable credit is limited to 25% of expenses and cannot exceed $2,500 in each of the three categories. Credits can carry forward for five years.
• Milk Credit: You can qualify for this credit if you produce milk for sale. The refundable credit is equal to $10,000 for the first 500,000 pounds of milk produced and sold below the production price and $5,000 for each additional 500,000 pounds produced and sold the same way. The credit amount must be certified by the South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture.
• Water Resources Credit: If you build water storage and control structures, you may be eligible for this credit, which equals 25% of expenses and cannot exceed $2,500. The nonrefundable credit can be carried forward five years. ​
  

Learn more about these credits, including how to claim them, on the SCDOR's website at dor.sc.gov/ta​xcredits.

Check Sales Tax exemptions available to the agricultural industry.

Several products are exempt from Sales Tax when purchased by an agricultural related business, including:

• Farm machinery, including replacement parts and attachments, used in planting, cultivating or harvesting farm crops for sale
• Various machines used in the production of poultry and poultry products
• Does not apply to cars or trucks, pitchforks, hoes or other farm implements, or machinery used in the construction of fences and buildings
• Livestock or mammals raised for their pelts or furs
• Feed used for livestock 
• Insecticides, chemicals, fertilizers, soil conditioners, seeds and seedlings used solely in the production for sale of farm, grove, vineyard or garden products
  

Check the SCDOR's w​ebsi​te for details and more agricultural products exempt from Sales Tax.

Use your SCATE card when making an exempt purchase.

Paper forms are no longer valid for South Carolina Agricultural Tax Exemptions (SCATE) as of July 1. Agribusinesses are to use their SCATE card issued by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture when purchasing products used for agricultural production to receive the Sales Tax exemptions. Review this news release from the SCDOR and the SC Department of Agriculture for more information.

Stay connected.

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