Dear (state delegate or senator)

As a South Carolina boat owner and resident, I’m writing to ask for your support in correcting a very unfair tax situation. Currently, the rate of personal property tax for recreational boats in South Carolina is the highest in the country. Boat owners in the state are being assessed 10.5% of the fair market value of our recreational boats, whereas private aircraft are assessed at a rate of 4% and RVs pay 6%.

Two bills now before the legislature that would correct this inequity. The Senate bill, S. 366, and House bill, H. 3453, would amend Section 12-37-224 of the Code of South Carolina by treating boats the same as RVs if they meet the same requirements – that is they include facilities for sleeping, cooking and have a toilet. Both bills will set the assessment at 6% and cap the maximum payment at $1,500.

Since boat owners in the state already pay annual registration fees as well as sales taxes when purchasing a boat, I believe boat owners are more than paying their fair share in fees and taxes, the majority of which I might add, do not go back into any boating or other waterway programs. Besides, with over 380,000 registered boats in South Carolina, recreational boating is an important part of the state economy and your attention to this issue will be ultimately beneficial to the state.

I support these two bills and request that you do so as well. Please let me know if you are in favor of reducing this unfair personal property tax burden on recreational boaters.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

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