Jan. 15 deadline for applications for tax refunds
BY ROBERT BEHRE
Of The Post and Courier Staff
The checks aren't in the mail, but the applications to get a check soon will be.
Charleston County plans to mail applications this week to owners of more than 90,000 properties eligible for refunds because of the county's botched 2001 reassessment.
Eligible property owners have until Jan. 15 to apply.
The S.C. Supreme Court had ordered the county to let those property owners who overpaid three years ago seek refunds. Last week, the court refused to reconsider that ruling, paving the way for the refund notices to be mailed.
In 2001, County Council tried to limit the reassessment's impact on owner-occupied homes. Thousands of homeowners got a break, and owners of more than 90,000 other properties paid a total of approximately $9.7 million more than they otherwise would have.
Council members have discussed extending the refunds to personal property, such as cars, boats and airplanes, but they have taken no action. Personal property wasn't included in the lawsuit that ended with the Supreme Court's refund order.
While the refunds could be sizeable for some -- some owners of large commercial properties could get checks for more than $10,000 -- most homeowners affected will be eligible for far more modest sums. More than 5,000 property owners are owed less than $1.
The size of a refund depends on a property's value and where it's located.
The notices will include a brief history about the reassessment mix-up, an estimated amount of a taxpayer's refund, an application and other information, including a special hot line, 958-4144, for those with questions.
If everyone applies, county government could pay out more than $11.3 million in refunds and interest.
TAX REFUNDS
If everyone who is eligible applies, Charleston County could pay more than $11.3 million in refunds and interest.
$10,000: Amount that some large commercial property owners could receive in refunds.
Less than $1: More than 5,000 property owners are owed less than $1 in refunds and interest.
843-958-4144: Special hot line phone number for information and answers about the tax refunds.
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