How South Carolina taxes paychecks
A single filer earning $75,000 in South Carolina pays about $2,657 in state tax and takes home $58,935 a year ($2,267 bi-weekly). That puts South Carolina 30th of 51 (1 = lowest state tax at this income).
South Carolina uses 2 graduated brackets ranging from 1.99% to 5.21%. Only the part of your income inside each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate. The calculator subtracts a standard deduction and/or exemption of about $15,000 (single) or $30,000 (married filing jointly) first. Most residents see state tax withheld from every paycheck by their employer based on the state withholding certificate.
Calculation note: Act 110 of 2026 (IL #26-20, 2026-08-31): 1.99% below $30,000, 5.21% above (= 5.21% − $966), retroactive to 1/1/2026; SCIAD $15,000/$30,000 phased out between AGI $40k–$95k / $80k–$190k. No July change. Withholding tables to be adjusted by SCDOR.
Effective tax rates by income in South Carolina
Single filer, standard deduction, no pre-tax deductions. "State rate" is state tax divided by gross salary; "Total rate" includes federal income tax and FICA.
| Salary | State tax | State rate | Total rate | Take-home / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $299 | 1.0% | 13.4% | $25,987 |
| $50,000 | $1,000 | 2.0% | 17.3% | $41,355 |
| $75,000 | $2,657 | 3.5% | 21.4% | $58,935 |
| $100,000 | $4,244 | 4.2% | 25.1% | $74,936 |
| $150,000 | $6,849 | 4.6% | 28.7% | $106,942 |
| $250,000 | $12,059 | 4.8% | 31.6% | $171,123 |
South Carolina 2026 income tax brackets
| Taxable income (single) | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | 1.99% |
| Over $30,000 | 5.21% |
Married couples filing jointly use the same brackets.
South Carolina paycheck examples
What a typical salary looks like per bi-weekly paycheck, after all taxes.
| Salary | Federal | FICA | State | Bi-weekly | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $2,620 | $3,060 | $498 | $1,300.87 | $2,819 |
| $60,000 | $5,020 | $4,590 | $1,663 | $1,874.13 | $4,061 |
| $80,000 | $8,770 | $6,120 | $2,989 | $2,389.27 | $5,177 |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $7,650 | $4,244 | $2,882.15 | $6,245 |
| $120,000 | $17,570 | $9,180 | $5,286 | $3,383.23 | $7,330 |
Paid hourly? $25 an hour is about $42,830 a year after taxes in South Carolina.
South Carolina vs. neighboring states
Compared with its neighbors, take-home pay at $75,000 is higher in North Carolina, and lower in Georgia. Cross-border commuters should note that wages are generally taxed where you work and credited where you live; reciprocity agreements vary by state.
| State | State tax on $75k | Take-home on $75k | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | $2,657 | $58,935 | — |
| North Carolina | $2,484 | $59,109 | +$174 |
| Georgia | $2,994 | $58,599 | -$337 |
Sources & review
- South Carolina rates and deductions: South Carolina tax authority publication (tax year 2026 (Act 110), status: verified against official source)
- Federal brackets & standard deduction: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32
- Social Security wage base: SSA
- Cross-check: Tax Foundation 2026 state rates
Reviewed November 4, 2026 · How we calculate
Frequently asked questions
How much is $60,000 a year after taxes in South Carolina?
A single filer earning $60,000 in South Carolina takes home about $48,727 per year in 2026, or $1,874 per bi-weekly paycheck ($4,061 per month).
Does South Carolina have a state income tax?
South Carolina uses 2 graduated brackets ranging from 1.99% to 5.21%. Only the part of your income inside each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate. The calculator subtracts a standard deduction and/or exemption of about $15,000 (single) or $30,000 (married filing jointly) first.
What is the effective tax rate on $100,000 in South Carolina?
On a $100,000 salary (single, standard deduction) total taxes are about $25,064, an effective rate of 25.1%. State tax accounts for $4,244 (4.2%).
How do 401(k) contributions change my South Carolina paycheck?
Traditional 401(k) contributions are subtracted before federal and, in this calculator, South Carolina income tax, so each $1 you contribute costs less than $1 in take-home pay. Social Security and Medicare still apply. Open “Advanced options” in the calculator to model it.
What are the 2026 FICA rates?
Social Security is 6.2% on wages up to $184,500 and Medicare is 1.45%, plus 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax withheld on wages above $200,000.