FAQ - Change Address on Tax Records

Real Property

Contact the Assessor’s Office by phone at 843-355-9321, ext. 5500 to complete the required address change form.

All Other Personal Property (Except Motor Vehicles & Watercraft)

Complete the WCF400, Notice of Change in Address Form (PDF). Please submit a separate form for each piece of property you own to the Auditor’s office.

Motor Vehicles

In accordance with state law, you must notify the SC Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) as it is their records that we use to determine which taxing district you are in and where to mail your tax bill. The wrong address on DMV’s records could result in paying too much tax or not receiving your tax bill, which could delay the delivery or renewal of your registration and decal for your license plate.

To notify the DMV, access SC DMV Form 4057 (PDF). Print and complete the form, then mail it to the DMV at:
SC Department of Motor Vehicles
Alternative Media
P.O. Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016-0035

Watercraft & Boats/Motors

In accordance with state law, you must notify the SC Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as it is their records that we use to determine which taxing district you are in and where to mail your tax bill. The wrong address on DNR’s records could result in paying too much tax or not receiving your tax bill, which can delay the registration renewal.

To notify the DNR, access the necessary form (Change of Address (PDF) and Request for Boat and/or Status Change (PDF)) on the SC DNR website. Print and complete the appropriate form, then mail it to the DNR at:
SC Department of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 167,
Columbia, SC 29202

Public Service Announcement: Watercraft Taxation Law
Williamsburg County Auditor Crystal Powell has issued the following public service announcement about the new taxation law on watercraft for South Carolina.

"Dear Williamsburg County Taxpayer,

The South Carolina Legislature passed a new watercraft law in May 2018, with an effective date of January 1, 2020. The new legislation changes the way that boats, boat motors, and watercraft are registered and taxed in the state of South Carolina.

Currently, property taxes on watercraft are billed annually in October. The 2019 October property tax notice is based upon the ownership as of December 31 of 2018 and are due by January 15, 2020. Currently, property owners are required to renew the registration for boats, boat motors, and watercraft every three years.

Act 223, effective January 1, 2020, changed the taxation of property taxes on boats, boat motors, and watercraft from a taxing system where taxes are paid in arrears to a system where the taxes are paid 12 months in advance. This change will make the taxation of boats, boat motors, and watercraft similar to the taxing method currently used for motor vehicles. You will be required to pay an annual registration renewal fee with SCDNR which will be included on your annual Williamsburg County property tax notice starting in 2021, for the month in which your decal expires. The annual registration with SCDNR will be phased in over three years. Some registration stickers will expire in 2020, but others may not expire until 2021 or 2022, depending on your DNR renewal. The decal cannot be renewed by SC Department of Natural Resources, until the property tax is paid. If your registration sticker is expiring in year 2020, SCDNR will bill you for your $10 annual registration fee. Once the three-year phase in period is completed, there will be an annual $10 renewal fee on the tax notice.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Williamsburg County Auditor’s Office by phone at 843-355-9321, ext. 5600."