Tax Bracket for South Carolina (2026)
South Carolina (SC) Key Facts
Tax Structure
Progressive (3 brackets)
Top Marginal Rate
6.4%
Number of Brackets
3
Tax Year
2,026
How This Calculator Works in South Carolina
This calculator shows which South Carolina tax bracket your income falls into. Enter your income and filing status to see marginal and effective rates.
South Carolina Overview
South Carolina uses a progressive income tax system with 3 brackets ranging from 0% to 6.4%. Higher portions of your income are taxed at higher rates, so your effective rate is always lower than your top marginal bracket.
How South Carolina Compares
South Carolina's top rate of 6.4% compares to North Carolina at 4.5% and Georgia at 5.39%. Comparing effective rates is more meaningful than top rates alone.
| State | Top Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 4.5% | North Carolina has an income tax rate of 4.5%. |
| Georgia | 5.39% | Georgia has an income tax rate of 5.39%. |
South Carolina's income tax rate of 6.4% compares to a national average of approximately 5.04%. This is above the national average.
Tips for South Carolina Residents
- 1South Carolina has a progressive income tax with 3 brackets ranging from 0% to 6.4%.
- 2Your marginal rate (the rate on your last dollar) is often higher than your effective rate (total tax / total income).
- 3Moving into a higher bracket only taxes the additional income at the higher rate, not your entire income.
- 4Pre-tax 401(k) and IRA contributions can keep you in a lower South Carolina bracket by reducing taxable income.
- 5Compare your effective rate rather than marginal rate when evaluating South Carolina's tax impact on your finances.