The use tax is a tax that applies to purchases of tangible personal property from out-of-state retailers for use, storage or consumption in South Carolina, and includes purchases from retailers made via the Internet (retailers' websites and retailers' sales on auction sites), through out-of-state catalog companies, home shopping networks or when visiting another state.
The tax rate for the use tax is the same as the sales tax. This rate is determined by where the tangible personal property will be used, stored or consumed, regardless of where the sale takes place. Therefore, the tax rate for the use tax will be the 6% state rate plus the applicable local use tax rate for the location where the tangible personal property will be used, stored or consumed. The purchaser, as an individual, may report and remit their use tax on a SC1040 South Carolina Individual Income Tax Return or a UT-3 Use Tax Return. See the instructions on the UT-3W for additional information and use tax rates by county.