AppealDesk

Horry County Property Tax Appeal, South Carolina

Travis BunnTravis Bunn·Updated July 24, 2026

Horry County is located in northeastern South Carolina along the Atlantic coast, home to the popular Grand Strand beach destinations. The county seat is Conway, with major population centers including Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Carolina Forest. With a population of approximately 413,000 as of 2024, Horry County is the fourth-most populous county in South Carolina. Property tax appeals matter here because the county's rapid growth and tourism-driven real estate market can lead to assessment discrepancies. Horry County's median home value of $235,000 is below the national median, and its effective tax rate of 0.41-0.43% is significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, resulting in median annual tax bills well below the national average of $2,400.

Notable cities: Myrtle Beach, Conway, North Myrtle Beach, Carolina Forest, Socastee

Median Home

$235,000

Tax Rate

0.43%

Annual Tax

$813

Population

413,000

On the typical Horry County home, valued near $235,000 at the county’s effective tax rate of 0.43%, an over-assessment of even 10% means you are overpaying year after year until you appeal it. Here is how to find out if yours qualifies.

2026 Appeal Deadline: 90 days from the date of the assessment notice, or January 15, 2026 for properties that did not receive a notice

Under South Carolina law, property owners who received a notice showing an increase of $1,000 or more have 90 days from the date printed on the notice to file a written objection with the Horry County Assessor's Office. For properties with increases less than $1,000 or those who did not receive a notice, the deadline is January 15th of the year following the tax year in question. The notices are typically mailed in July.

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How Horry County Assesses Property

4%of market value

Assessed by: Horry County Assessor's Office

Assessment cycle: quinquennial (every 5 years)

Notices typically mailed: July

In Horry County, property assessments are based on fair market value multiplied by the appropriate assessment ratio. Owner-occupied primary residences receive a 4% assessment ratio, while non-primary residences are assessed at 6%. For example, if your home's market value is $235,000 (the county median) and you qualify for the legal residence 4% assessment ratio, your assessed value would be $9,400. At Horry County's effective tax rate of 0.43%, this would result in approximately $404 in annual property taxes.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the County Assessor. After filing your appeal, the Assessor will schedule an informal conference to review your evidence and discuss the assessment. If unresolved, a formal hearing before the County Board of Assessment Appeals will be held within 30 days of filing your appeal to the board.

1

File a written objection with the Horry County Assessor's Office within 90 days of receiving your assessment notice (or by January 15, 2026 if no notice was received). Include your property information, the assessment you disagree with, and the value you believe is correct.

2

Request an informal conference with the Assessor. Within 30 days of your request, the Assessor will schedule a meeting to discuss your concerns and review your evidence.

3

If the matter is not resolved at the conference, file a formal written protest within 30 days after the conference date. The Assessor will provide you with the appropriate form and must include comparable sales data, photos, appraisals, or other supporting documentation.

4

The Assessor will respond in writing with either an initial assessment or a redetermined assessment. If you disagree with the response, you have 30 days to appeal to the County Board of Assessment Appeals.

5

If the County Board of Assessment Appeals denies your appeal, you may appeal to the South Carolina Administrative Law Court within 30 days of the board's decision.

6

As a final option, if all administrative appeals are exhausted, you may appeal your assessment in circuit court.

Required form: 2025 Real Property Appeal form (available on Horry County Assessor website) or written objection letter

Filing Methods

online:Online real property appeal form available at https://www.horrycountysc.gov/departments/assessor/forms/
mail:Horry County Assessor's Office, 1301 2nd Avenue, Conway, SC 29526
in-person:Horry County Government & Justice Center, 1301 2nd Avenue, Conway, SC 29526
email:assessor@horrycountysc.gov or hcg.assessor@horrycountysc.gov

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales of similar propertiesRecent independent appraisalPhotos documenting property condition or defectsRepair estimates or documentation of needed repairsProperty records showing incorrect information (square footage, bedrooms, etc.)

Horry County Assessor Contact

Horry County Assessor's Office

Phone: 843-915-5040

Address: 1301 2nd Avenue, Conway, SC 29526

Website: https://www.horrycountysc.gov/departments/assessor/

Online Portal: https://www.horrycountysc.gov/departments/assessor/forms/

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Tax Exemptions in Horry County

Legal Residence (Primary Residence)

4% assessment ratio (versus 6% for non-primary residences)

Reduces the assessment ratio for owner-occupied primary residences from 6% to 4%, plus exempts school operation taxes

Eligibility: Homeowners who occupy the property as their primary legal residenceDeadline: January 1 to May 1 of each tax year

Homestead Exemption

$50,000 deduction from fair market value

Exempts up to $50,000 of the home's fair market value from property taxes for qualifying seniors and disabled individuals

Eligibility: Homeowners age 65 or older, totally and permanently disabled, or legally blind. Must be a legal resident of South Carolina for at least one year prior to December 31 of the year before the exemptionDeadline: Apply at Horry County Auditor's Office at 843-915-5051

Disabled Veteran Exemption

100% exemption (full property tax exemption)

Complete property tax exemption on primary residence and up to 5 acres for 100% permanently and totally disabled veterans

Eligibility: Veterans with 100% total and permanent service-connected disability rating from the VA. Partial disability ratings receive a percentage exemption equal to their disability percentage. Surviving spouses also qualifyDeadline: Apply through SC Department of Revenue MyDORWAY portal or contact county assessor. Exemption is retroactive to 2022

Agricultural Use Exemption

Variable based on agricultural use valuation

Allows qualifying agricultural land to be assessed at agricultural use value rather than market value

Eligibility: Property owners using land for bona fide agricultural purposes. No residency requirementsDeadline: January 1 to January 15 of each tax year

Multiple Lot Discount

Variable discount on unsold lots

Provides a discount on the assessed values of unsold lots for original subdivision developers

Eligibility: Original developers of subdivisions with unsold lotsDeadline: January 1 to May 1 of each tax year

Horry County Appeal Statistics

Avg Reduction

$293

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Horry County?
The deadline to file a property tax appeal in Horry County depends on whether you received an assessment notice. If you received a notice showing an increase of $1,000 or more in your property value, you have 90 days from the date printed on the notice to file a written objection with the Horry County Assessor's Office. Assessment notices are typically mailed in July, so most deadlines fall in October. However, if your property's value increased by less than $1,000 or you did not receive a notice, you must file your appeal by January 15, 2026 for the 2025 tax year. Missing these deadlines means you waive your appeal rights for that tax year and must wait until the following year.
How do I file a property tax appeal in Horry County online?
You can file a property tax appeal online through the Horry County Assessor's website at https://www.horrycountysc.gov/departments/assessor/forms/. Look for the Real Property Appeal form which you can download and submit electronically. The form requires your property information, the assessed value you're disputing, the value you believe is correct, and supporting evidence such as comparable sales data. Alternatively, you can submit a written objection via email to assessor@horrycountysc.gov or hcg.assessor@horrycountysc.gov. Make sure to include all necessary documentation such as recent appraisals, photos of property condition issues, and sales data for comparable properties in your area to support your appeal.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Horry County?
The homestead exemption in Horry County provides a $50,000 deduction from your home's fair market value before property taxes are calculated. This exemption is available to homeowners who are age 65 or older, totally and permanently disabled, or legally blind. For example, if your home has a market value of $235,000 and you qualify for the homestead exemption, only $185,000 would be subject to the 4% assessment ratio, resulting in a lower tax bill. At Horry County's median effective tax rate of 0.43%, this exemption could save approximately $86 per year. To qualify, you must have been a legal resident of South Carolina for at least one full year prior to December 31 of the year before applying, and you must also have your property designated as your legal residence with the 4% assessment ratio.
What happens at an informal conference with the Horry County Assessor?
After you file a written objection to your property assessment, the Horry County Assessor's Office will schedule an informal conference within 30 days of your request. During this conference, you'll meet with an assessor representative to discuss your concerns and present evidence supporting your claim that your property is overvalued. You should bring comparable sales data, photos showing property condition issues, recent appraisals, or documentation of errors in the property records such as incorrect square footage or bedroom count. The assessor will review your evidence and may agree to adjust your assessment if your documentation is compelling. If the matter is not resolved to your satisfaction, the assessor will advise you of your right to file a formal written protest within 30 days and provide you with the appropriate form to continue your appeal to the County Board of Assessment Appeals.
How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Horry County?
Successful property tax appeals in Horry County result in average savings of $293 per year according to recent data. The actual amount you can save depends on how much your assessment is reduced and your property's tax rate. For example, if you successfully reduce your home's market value from $250,000 to $225,000, that's a $25,000 reduction. With Horry County's 4% assessment ratio for primary residences, your assessed value would drop by $1,000. At the county's effective tax rate of 0.43%, this would save you approximately $172 annually. Some homeowners see even larger reductions, especially if their property was significantly overvalued or if there were errors in the property records. Professional appraisal companies report that about 25% of homes in America are unfairly overassessed, paying an average of $1,346 too much each year.
What evidence do I need for a Horry County property tax appeal?
To file a successful property tax appeal in Horry County, you need strong evidence showing your property is overvalued compared to similar properties in your area. The most important evidence is comparable sales data from recently sold homes with similar characteristics (square footage, bedrooms, bathrooms, age, and condition) in your neighborhood. You should gather at least three to five comparable sales from the past 6-12 months. A recent independent appraisal from a licensed appraiser carries significant weight. Additionally, provide photos documenting any property condition issues such as needed repairs, structural problems, or outdated features that affect value. Include repair estimates from licensed contractors if applicable. Finally, verify your property records for errors such as incorrect square footage, wrong number of bedrooms or bathrooms, or lot size mistakes, and provide documentation proving the correct information.
Can I appeal my Horry County property taxes if I didn't receive a notice?
Yes, you can still appeal your Horry County property taxes even if you did not receive an assessment notice. Under South Carolina law, if your property's value increased by less than $1,000 or if you believe your assessment is incorrect but didn't receive a formal notice, you must file a written objection with the County Assessor by January 15th of the year following the tax year in question. For the 2025 tax year, the deadline is January 15, 2026. This is different from the 90-day deadline that applies to properties that received notices showing increases of $1,000 or more. You should contact the Horry County Assessor's Office at 843-915-5040 to request an appeal form and begin the process. Don't assume you can't appeal just because you didn't receive a notice, the January 15th deadline applies to all properties not otherwise notified.
What is the difference between legal residence and homestead exemption in Horry County?
Legal residence and homestead exemption are two separate benefits in Horry County that serve different purposes. The legal residence designation reduces your assessment ratio from 6% to 4% for owner-occupied primary residences and exempts you from school operation taxes. This benefit is available to all homeowners who occupy their property as their primary residence and can be applied for between January 1 and May 1 each year. The homestead exemption, on the other hand, provides a $50,000 deduction from your home's fair market value and is specifically for homeowners age 65 or older, totally disabled, or legally blind who have been South Carolina residents for at least one year. You can qualify for both benefits simultaneously if you meet the eligibility requirements for each. The legal residence must be established first before you can apply for the homestead exemption, and applications are made through the Horry County Auditor's Office at 843-915-5051.

Official Resources

Horry County Assessor's Office Official Website →

Access property assessment information, appeal forms, legal residence applications, and contact information for the Horry County Assessor.

Horry County Tax Payer Services →

Central hub for all tax-related services including exemption applications, payment portals, and information on homestead exemptions.

South Carolina Department of Revenue Property Tax Exemptions →

Official state resource for property tax exemption information including disabled veteran exemptions and MyDORWAY online portal for applications.

Horry County Property Records Search →

Search property records by owner name, parcel number, address, or subdivision to view assessment information and property details.

For state-wide appeal information including South Carolina's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our South Carolina Property Tax Appeal Guide →

Considering professional help with your appeal? Compare pricing, coverage, and pros/cons in our Best Property Tax Appeal Services (2026) or browse side-by-side service comparisons →

More South Carolina Counties

Aiken County (Aiken)Anderson County (Anderson)Beaufort County (Hilton Head Island)Berkeley County (Moncks Corner)Charleston County (Charleston)Dorchester County (St. George)
← All South Carolina property tax appeal info

Sources: https://www.horrycountysc.gov/departments/assessor/ | https://www.horrycountysc.gov/tax-payer-services/ | https://www.horrycountysc.gov/tax-payer-services/questioning-values/ | https://fwiwa.com/horry-county-tax-appeals-2025-deadline/ | https://www.abodemoney.com/insights/property-tax/south-carolina/horry-county | https://dor.sc.gov/tax-tips/veterans-learn-more-about-sc-property-tax-exemptions | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horry_County,_South_Carolina

Last verified: 2026-07-24