Myrtle Beach Homeowners Face Steep Property Tax Increases
In the beautiful sunny shores of Myrtle Beach, homeowners have recently received their dreaded property tax bills, and let’s just say, many folks are feeling a little bit of extra heat this year. The increase shouldn’t really come as a shock though, as it’s a reassessment year—and rumor has it, some property values have nearly doubled since the last time they were assessed!
An Unexpected Surprise
Around 270,000 assessment letters went out to residents all over Horry County this past July, each one revealing a change in their taxable property value. Among those feeling the weight of this news is recently retired resident, Ruby ‘l Carrllo. With a tight budget as her companion, Ruby expressed her concerns: “How can you keep going up on taxes on someone who has a fixed budget? I’m not going to be getting any extra money, but I’m going to have to be paying out more. Eventually, this is going to be forcing some people out of their homes.”
A Little Light at the End of the Tunnel
But hang on a second! It’s important to clarify that back in July, the Horry County Tax Assessor mentioned that South Carolina has a law that limits annual tax increases. So, even if your property value skyrocketed, your bill can’t increase by more than 15% in one year. So, there’s a bit of a safety net—yay!
Feeling the Crunch
Another Myrtle Beach homeowner, Antoinette Tocheck, chimed in and shared her disbelief. She mentioned, “My increase felt massive. I’ve never seen my bill this high, and I’m one of the first houses built in my neighborhood.” It’s hard to shake that feeling of uncertainty, especially when you feel like the ground beneath you might be shifting.
Time is of the Essence
For those who didn’t receive a notice over the summer, don’t worry! You still have until January 15 next year to appeal your tax bill. So, if you’re feeling a bit blindsided, you have a fighting chance to get it sorted.
Wrestling with Tax Errors
Resident Lisa Dequarto is all too familiar with tax issues, having gone through a similar struggle last year. “They were supposed to have been corrected this year, but they didn’t,” she said. After spotting an error, Lisa took action, reaching out to the county’s tax assessor’s office right away. “They responded quickly and were super helpful,” she added. Things are looking brighter for her as she aims to get her tax bill corrected down to around $800 to $900. “I’ll be happy then!” she exclaimed.
Looking Ahead
As we soak in the sun and enjoy our beautiful coast, it’s clear that property taxes can sometimes cast a shadow over our lovely community. It’s a mixed bag of good news and bad news, but staying informed is key! As tax season rolls around, let’s make sure we keep the lines of communication open and support each other as we navigate these changes. We’re all in this together, Myrtle Beach!
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
