Richland County property tax bills to include fee increase

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Richland County property owners will not see higher property tax rates this year but will notice an increase in fees for solid waste services.

The county said that the fee increases on the tax bills, which are being sent out Friday, will be about 13%. Last year, curbside collection fees rose for the first in more than a decade, while landfill fees increased for the first time since 1993, according to a news release. The increases will be implemented in two-year increments.

Concerned that the already enacted fee increase would present a financial challenge for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Richland County Council and county staff worked with millage agencies to avoid raising the 2020 tax rate, according to the release.

The county auditor’s office will mail about 177,000 real estate tax bills, 33,000 business tax bills and 142 personal property tax bills on Friday. The bills, due by Jan. 15, include a tax distribution chart outlining provided services.

Taxpayers age 65 or older and residing in South Carolina as of Dec. 31, 2019, or who are legally blind or 100% disabled, are exempt from paying taxes on the first $50,000 value of their homes. More information is available at richlandcountysc.gov on the auditor’s office page.

County offices remained closed to the public. Bills can be paid by mail or online, via a drop box at the county administration building at 2020 Hampton St., or at Richland County Synovus Bank branches.