Personal Property Tax on MCs Lowered?

[PalmettoX]

I read in the Aiken newspaper last month that SC passed a bill, and Gov Sanford signed it, that lowered the personal property tax on motorcycles to the same rate as that charged for automobiles. When I received my vehicle tax bill in the mail today, the rate on my VTX is the same as it was last year.

Before I make a fool of myself at the county Auditor's office, can anyone offer more information on whether the personal property tax rate on motorcycles was reduced to the same rate as automobiles, and if so, is the reduced rate in effect yet, or will we have to wait until 2007 to see the reduced rate for bikes?

FWIW, Edgefield County's rate on automobiles is 6.75% of appraised value, but for my VTX the rate is 10.5% of appraised value. Then they take 31% of that value to charge for the county tax. I read that the new law reduced that 10.5% down to 6.75%.

Thanks in advance for any help that anyone can offer....

Steve

[Ranger]

I think the tax goes into effect next year.

[neo rider]

well as far as im concerned i feel that the mc tax should be a rebate of sorts less road damage better for the enviroment etc .. if a house can get a taxccut for being energy effecient why not a motorcycle ?????????? i mean really duhhhh !!!!!!!!!!1

[Ranger]

Guys,

I agree :) We should get a tax break for riding a motorcycle. It is my primary ride to work on any day that is above 39 degrees and not raining :)

We use less gas and put less pollutions in the air than any other vehicle except maybe a new gas/electric car yet we get hit harder than a regular vehicle.

The fact of the matter is that it is all about money with our goverment and very little about common sense.

I feel that if you put more than 15k on your bike a year, you should get a tax right off and property tax break.

[PalmettoX]

I asked the Edgefield County Auditor today what is the effective date of the lower personal tax rate on motorcycles. She told me that the new rates are effective September 1, 2006. If your Personal Property Vehicle Tax is due September 2006 or later, you will notice a substantial reduction in your Personal Property Tax rate for your bike. As my luck will have it, I missed it by a month.....my tax is due in August. The reduction on my 2002 VTX would have amounted to almost $75.

I'm not complaining about the personal property taxes in SC. They are lower than I paid in VA. I spent a few years in PA (my job took me there), and although they don't have Personal Property Taxes on vehicles, they make up for it in the registration fees, annual inspection fees, and super-high real estate taxes.

Regarding the comments on "tax break", we just got one!! Right now, the personal property tax rate on motorcycles is 10% (the same rate charged for boats and other RVs. Starting 9/1/06, it will be lowered to the same rate charged for automobiles, or about 7.5%. So, we just got a "tax break" of 25% thanks mainly to the efforts of ABATE and your SC Legislature.

Thanks to those who replied.
Ride safe....Steve

[sthssro14]

Thanks for the info. I live in Edgefield and you saved me a trip to the Auditor's office.