Myrtle Beach Homeowners Struggle with Significant Property Tax Hikes Amid Reassessments

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!