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New fees at the DMV

PICKENS COUNTY — Beginning July 1, people who purchase vehicles in South Carolina will owe a new type of fee instead of paying a sales tax — the Infrastructure Maintenance Fee.

“Due to legislation commonly referred to as the Roads Bill, if you buy or lease a vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer, or other automobile on and after July 1, 2017 that will be titled and/or registered in this state, you will owe an Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF) instead of sales tax,” said a Department of Motor Vehicles spokesperson. “The IMF is in addition to applicable title and registration fees and property taxes. You will not be able to title or register the item until you pay the IMF.”

According to the DMV, the amount of IMF you owe is based on the sale price of the vehicle you buy — 5 percent, up to $500.

“If you purchase an item that is $10,000 or less, your IMF will be 5 percent of the sale price,” said the spokesperson. “If it is $10,001 or more — you will owe $500.”

As always, buyers have 45 days to register their vehicles.

But it’s not just for new (or used) car buyers.

As of July 1 people who move to South Carolina with a vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer (or other automobile that needs to be registered in S.C.) will now owe a $250 IMF.

These fees are in addition to applicable title and registration fees and property taxes — per item — that need to be registered in S.C.

“For example, if you move to S.C. from Georgia with a vehicle that was previously registered in Georgia, when you register that vehicle with the SCDMV, you will owe the IMF, applicable title and registration fees and property taxes,” states the DMV. “You pay your property taxes to your county treasurer.”

You must bring your original paid property tax receipt when you visit the SCDMV.

People who buy a vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer, or other item in South Carolina that will be registered in another state will not owe an Infrastructure Maintenance Fee — but will pay a sales tax upon purchasing the item, the DMV states.

Under the changes in legislation, the sales tax has increased from 5 percent of the sale price (with a maximum of $300,) to 5 percent of the sale price, with a maximum of $500.

New fees hit SC July 1.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_carfee.jpgNew fees hit SC July 1. Courtesy photo

By Kasie Strickland

kstrickland@civitasmedia.com

Reach Kasie Strickland at 864-855-0355.

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