Property Tax Lawyers in Hilton Head Island

The law of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina says that everybody who owns real property has to pay taxes on it. The term "real property" refers to land and buildings, as well as anything fixed to the land, like trees and natural resources.

Property taxes in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina are calculated as a percentage of the appraised value of the property. Property taxes are paid to the state or local government at regular (generally yearly) intervals.

Federal authorities do not gather a property tax. Only state and local governments gather property taxes, as a general matter.

How Property Tax is Calculated in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Most often, property taxes in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina are simply a set percentage of the property's value. Across the country, state authorities impose a wide range of various tax rates. The highest rates in the country are in the area of 5% of the property's value, and the lowest are less than 1%.

To collect the property tax, the authorities of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina have to first decide the value of a particular piece of land.

Value is subjective in many respects. The home that you grew up in is likely worth more to you than its going market rate. So, to ensure that property taxes are fair and uniform, tax collectors have to use purely objective factors when appraising property.

There are many different ways to value property using objective factors. Generally, the appraiser in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina will consider the current state of the real estate market, the size of the property, any improvements (buildings, roads, etc.) that have been made on the property, and the manner in which the property may be legally utilized (zoning).

How A Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Property Tax Attorney Can Help.

The system of levying property taxes in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina can get very perplexing. Disagreements about property taxes, between the taxpayer and the tax authorities, can come up in several different ways. A taxpayer may believe that an error was made in calculating their property's taxable value, resulting in bigger tax bill. Also, the state or city government might allege that you have failed to pay your property taxes, while you believe that you have.

If you encounter a legal issue with your Hilton Head Island, South Carolina property taxes, and don't handle it properly, unnecessary inconvenience and expense can result. If you have the advice of a competent tax attorney in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, however, the odds of encountering such a problem will be small.