South Carolina Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your take-home pay in South Carolina. The state levies a graduated income tax that tops out at 6% (0% to 6% across 3 brackets). This means a portion of every paycheck goes toward state income tax in addition to federal withholding, Social Security, and Medicare.
Disclaimer: All figures on this page are estimates for general informational purposes only and are not financial, tax, or legal advice. Tax rates, brackets, and withholding rules change and vary by locality and personal circumstances. Verify current rates with the South Carolina Department of Revenue or the IRS, and consult a qualified tax professional before making financial decisions.
South Carolina Tax Snapshot
- State Income Tax
- 6% top rate
- Sales Tax (state + local avg)
- 7.49%
- Avg Property Tax Rate
- 0.56%
- Median Home Value
- $249,100
- State Minimum Wage
- $7.25/hr
Did You Know?
South Carolina restructured its individual income tax into three brackets for 2026 with a 6% top rate.
How South Carolina's Graduated Brackets Affect Your Paycheck
When you earn a paycheck in South Carolina, your employer withholds federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%). On top of that, the state withholds income tax based on 0% to 6% across 3 brackets. The state minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, which sets the floor for hourly workers. Understanding these deductions helps you budget effectively and plan for the average 0.56% property tax rate on homes valued around $249,100.
South Carolina also levies a combined state and average local sales tax of 7.49%, which affects your overall purchasing power. Factor this into your budget when calculating how far your paycheck stretches.
Where You Live vs. Where You Work in South Carolina
South Carolina has no income tax reciprocity agreements, so if you live here and work across a state line, the work state generally withholds its own tax first. South Carolina then gives you a credit for taxes paid to the other state, which usually leaves you paying the higher of the two rates overall rather than both in full.
South Carolina has no general local income or wage tax, so state withholding is the only state-level line on your pay stub alongside federal tax and FICA.
How South Carolina's Income Tax Compares Nationally
South Carolina uses a graduated income tax — 0% to 6% across 3 brackets — so higher slices of income are taxed at higher rates rather than one flat percentage.
Its 6% top rate is the 15th-highest nationally among the 42 states and jurisdictions that tax wages, above the median top rate of 5.25%.
For comparison, nearby states line up like this: Georgia (top rate 5.19%); North Carolina (top rate 3.99%).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does South Carolina have a state income tax? + −
Yes. South Carolina has a state income tax with a top rate of 6%. Your effective rate depends on your filing status and income brackets. South Carolina restructured its individual income tax into three brackets for 2026 with a 6% top rate.
What is the sales tax rate in South Carolina? + −
The South Carolina state sales tax rate is 6%. When you include the average local rate of 1.49%, the combined rate is approximately 7.49%. Actual rates vary by city and county.
How do I calculate my South Carolina take-home pay? + −
Start with your gross salary, subtract federal income tax (based on your W-4 and tax bracket), subtract FICA taxes (7.65% — 6.2% Social Security up to the wage base + 1.45% Medicare), then subtract South Carolina state income tax at your marginal rate. The remainder is your net take-home pay. Our calculator does this automatically.
What payroll deductions apply in South Carolina? + −
All South Carolina employees pay federal income tax and FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%). State income tax is also withheld based on South Carolina's brackets. Additional deductions may include 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums, and any local taxes.
How often are South Carolina employees typically paid? + −
Most South Carolina employees are paid biweekly (26 paychecks per year) or semi-monthly (24 paychecks). Some employers use weekly or monthly pay schedules. Our calculator supports all frequencies — enter your gross pay for one period and it calculates your net pay after all applicable South Carolina taxes and deductions.
What are the South Carolina income tax brackets? + −
South Carolina uses a graduated structure: 0% to 6% across 3 brackets. Only the income that falls within each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate, so your effective rate is always lower than the 6% top rate.
Is South Carolina a high income tax state? + −
South Carolina's top rate of 6% ranks 15th-highest among the 42 states and jurisdictions with a wage income tax, above the national median top rate of 5.25%. Because the brackets are graduated (0% to 6% across 3 brackets), most filers pay an effective rate well below the headline number.
What if I live in South Carolina but work in another state? + −
South Carolina has no reciprocity agreements, so the state where you physically work usually withholds its own income tax. You then file a South Carolina resident return reporting all your income and claim a credit for the tax paid to the other state. The credit is capped at what South Carolina would have charged, so you effectively pay the higher of the two rates.
How do nearby states' income taxes compare with South Carolina's? + −
Georgia (top rate 5.19%); North Carolina (top rate 3.99%). 0 of the 2 nearby states listed have a higher top rate than South Carolina's 6%.
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