TO AMEND SECTION 12-45-75, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO INSTALLMENT PAYMENTS OF PROPERTY TAX, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE A COUNTY TO ESTABLISH AN ALTERNATIVE PAYMENT SCHEDULE.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 12-45-75(B) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
(B)(1) An installment payment is based on the total property tax due for the previous property tax year, after applying all applicable credits and adjustments reflecting reduced value as determined by the county assessor. An amount equal to sixteen and two-thirds percent of the estimated property tax obligation must be paid to the county treasurer in each of five installments according to the following schedule:
In the case of the following estimates, the due date is on or before:
First February 15
Second April 15
Third June 15
Fourth August 15
Fifth October 15
The remaining balance is due on or before January fifteenth of the following taxable year in accordance with Section 12-45-70. The treasurer must notify the county auditor of the amount of a property owner's payments received no earlier than October fifteenth and no later than November fifteenth. A notice of the remaining tax due and other authorized charges and information must then be prepared and mailed to the property owner.
(2) As an alternative to the scheduling provided for in item (1), the authorizing ordinance may provide the treasurer, tax collector, or other official charged with the collection of ad valorem property taxes in a county with the discretion in the scheduling and collection of installment payments from taxpayers as well as in the application process provided for in subsection (A)(2)."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.