One would think something as important as the County Tax bill, which only comes out once a year, would be printed correctly. Well, that is not the case for some of the 2009 Beaufort County tax bills. Due to a printing error, the Homestead Exemption is not shown in the section of the notice “Homestead Exemption.” A Homestead Exemption is a credit of $50,000 on the value of a residence that is assessed at 4% (owner-occupied) where the owner is over 65 years old.The County in almost all cases did issue the credit. The credit is reflected in the “Account Data” section of the tax bill. To verify the credit was issued one needs to compare the “Assessed Value” in the section with the “Taxable Value.” These two numbers should be different by 2,000 (50,000 in value credit x 4% ratio). Below please find an explanation that Beaufort County published to explain this printing error.

Another error we are hearing a lot about is where the tax bills are including personal property tax as if a second home (6% non-owner occupied) was a rental property.

Just think, the Beaufort County will have a year to see if the 2010 tax bills will be correct. Should you have any questions about your tax bills, please feel free to  The Charles Sampson Real Estate Group a call at 843.681.3307. If we do not already have the answer, we will be glad to help you get it. I must say this year each time I have spoken with a County employee, either in person or on the phone, from Mr. Ed Hughes on down, they have ALL been very pleasant and helpful.