South Carolina income tax rates for 2026
South Carolina has rates from 1.99% to 5.21%; for single filers the top rate of 5.21% starts above $30,000 of South Carolina taxable income. Rates apply to South Carolina taxable income: federal adjusted gross income minus South Carolina’s own deductions and exemptions.
| Rate | Single | Married filing jointly |
|---|---|---|
| 1.99% | $0 – $30,000 | $0 – $30,000 |
| 5.21% | Over $30,000 | Over $30,000 |
South Carolina standard deduction and exemptions
| Item | Single | Married filing jointly |
|---|---|---|
| Standard deduction | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| Exemption per dependent | $4,930 | $4,930 |
Deductions and exemptions reduce the income South Carolina taxes; credits reduce the tax itself. The head-of-household standard deduction is $22,500.
How much South Carolina income tax will I pay?
Estimated 2026 tax for a single filer with wage income, the standard deduction and no dependents:
| Wages | South Carolina tax | State effective rate | Federal income tax | Total income tax | Combined rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $498 | 1.24% | $2,620 | $3,118 | 7.8% |
| $60,000 | $1,662 | 2.77% | $5,020 | $6,682 | 11.1% |
| $80,000 | $2,988 | 3.74% | $8,770 | $11,758 | 14.7% |
| $100,000 | $4,244 | 4.24% | $13,170 | $17,414 | 17.4% |
| $150,000 | $6,849 | 4.57% | $24,734 | $31,583 | 21.1% |
| $250,000 | $12,059 | 4.82% | $51,304 | $63,363 | 25.3% |
At $100,000, for example, South Carolina takes about $4,244 and the combined income tax bill is $17,414. Your marginal rate on the next dollar at that income is 27.21% (22% federal + 5.21% South Carolina). These estimates apply South Carolina’s brackets, standard deduction, exemptions and credits from our data, plus the phase-outs and other special rules described below; local taxes and rules the notes below mark as not modeled are left out.
How South Carolina compares with neighboring states
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer pays $2,657 in South Carolina income tax, the 29th-lowest among the 50 states and DC. The median across all of them is $2,588.
| State | State tax on $75,000 | Effective rate | Rates | National rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | $2,484 | 3.31% | Flat 3.99% | 22 of 51 |
| South Carolina | $2,657 | 3.54% | 1.99%–5.21% | 29 of 51 |
| Georgia | $2,994 | 3.99% | Flat 4.99% | 36 of 51 |
Compare South Carolina with Georgia and North Carolina.
South Carolina tax rules to know
Key points from our 2026 South Carolina data, compiled from the official sources listed at the end of this page:
- Act 110 of 2026 (H.4216), signed March 30, 2026, applies to tax years beginning after 2025. It replaces the old 0%/3%/6% schedule with two brackets for every filing status: 1.99% on taxable income up to $30,000 and 5.21% above $30,000 (DOR shortcut: 5.21% x taxable income minus $966). Bracket amounts are indexed from 2027, and the 5.21% top rate can fall further from 2027 if revenue growth reaches 5%.
- South Carolina now starts from federal AGI, not federal taxable income. The federal standard deduction, itemized deductions, QBI deduction and the new federal senior, tips, overtime and car-loan-interest deductions are not allowed (IRC 63(b)-(g) decoupled).
- The new South Carolina Income Adjusted Deduction (SCIAD) replaces the federal standard deduction: $15,000 single/MFS, $22,500 head of household, $30,000 married filing jointly/surviving spouse. It phases out as federal AGI rises: single/MFS (AGI - $40,000)/$55,000, gone at $95,000; HOH (AGI - $60,000)/$82,500, gone at $142,500; MFJ (AGI - $80,000)/$110,000, gone at $190,000.
- The dependent exemption shown ($4,930 per dependent) is the 2025 SC1040 amount. The 2026 indexed figure had not been published, so the 2026 value may be slightly higher. SC also allows an extra deduction for each dependent under age 6.
- Other deductions still apply: $15,000 for each taxpayer age 65+ (reduced by the retirement income deduction), retirement income deductions, and a full military retirement deduction.
- The SC Earned Income Tax Credit (125% of the federal EITC) is now capped at $200.
- The 2026 withholding formula SCDOR published in November 2025 (WH-1603F) still uses 0%/3%/6% brackets. Act 110 tells SCDOR to adjust withholding, so paycheck withholding may not match the 2026 liability.
Local income tax: none. Cities and counties in South Carolina do not levy their own income tax in our 2026 data.
More 2026 tax tools
See the 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction, estimate each paycheck with the paycheck calculator, or compare income tax in every state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the South Carolina income tax rate for 2026?
South Carolina has rates from 1.99% to 5.21% for 2026. For single filers the top rate of 5.21% applies to South Carolina taxable income over $30,000. Because the rate applies to taxable income after deductions and exemptions, the share of total income you pay is lower: about 3.54% for a single filer earning $75,000. At $100,000 of wages, a single filer would owe about $4,244 in South Carolina income tax.
How much is South Carolina income tax on $75,000?
A single filer with $75,000 in wages owes about $2,657 in South Carolina income tax for 2026, based on South Carolina taxable income of about $69,540. Federal income tax adds $7,670 and Social Security and Medicare $5,738, leaving about $58,935. A married couple earning $150,000 would owe about $6,281 in state tax.
What is the South Carolina standard deduction for 2026?
In our 2026 data, the South Carolina standard deduction is $15,000 for single filers and $30,000 for married couples filing jointly ($22,500 for heads of household). For a single filer earning $75,000, South Carolina taxable income works out to about $69,540 in our estimate. See the rules section on this page for income limits and other details.
Does South Carolina have local income taxes?
No. Our 2026 data shows no local (city or county) income taxes in South Carolina, so the state and federal income tax estimated here, plus Social Security and Medicare, cover the income taxes on your wages. A single filer earning $75,000 pays about $10,327 in combined federal and South Carolina income tax.
How does South Carolina income tax compare with nearby states?
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer pays about $2,657 in South Carolina income tax, the 29th-lowest among the 50 states and DC. Among neighbors, North Carolina would take $2,484 and Georgia $2,994. The national median is $2,588. Income tax is only one part of the picture; sales and property taxes also differ by state.
Is this South Carolina tax estimate exact?
It is an estimate. We apply South Carolina’s 2026 brackets, standard deduction, exemptions and credits to your income, starting from federal adjusted gross income. We do not model every South Carolina subtraction, credit or phase-out, and federal figures leave out the AMT and the QBI deduction. Use it for planning and check your actual return or South Carolina’s tax agency for final numbers.