Summerville Accommodations Tax Calculator
Estimate the tax on a short-term rental stay in Summerville, SC (it spans more than one county, so pick yours). Rates come from the Coastal SC STR Rules tracker and each one links to its official source. At a glance: Dorchester County part 12% (verify); Berkeley County part 14%, may be 13% (verify); Charleston County part 14%, may be 13% (verify).
Total to verify: Dorchester County part 12% (verify); Berkeley County part 14%, may be 13% (verify); Charleston County part 14%, may be 13% (verify). Rates marked verify are the best official figure we found (source and date below), not yet confirmed by the town or county, so check them before filing. The Town of Summerville and Dorchester County rates are the figures each reported to the state (unaudited), not confirmed by a Town or County ordinance. They are counted in full and marked verify.
See what this town's taxes and fees leave you each month: Summerville take-home calculator.
Results
Summerville short-term rental tax rates
Dorchester County part
| Tax | Rate |
|---|---|
| State sales tax (SCDOR) | 5% |
| State accommodations tax (SCDOR) | 2% |
| Transportation sales tax (SCDOR) | 1% |
| Town of Summerville local accommodations tax | 2% (verify) |
| Dorchester County local accommodations tax | 2% (verify) |
| Total | 12% (verify) |
Berkeley County part
| Tax | Rate |
|---|---|
| State sales tax (SCDOR) | 5% |
| State accommodations tax (SCDOR) | 2% |
| Local option sales tax (SCDOR) | 1% |
| Transportation sales tax (SCDOR) | 1% |
| Education capital improvement tax (SCDOR) | 1% |
| Berkeley County accommodations fee (Berkeley County Treasurer) | 2% |
| Town of Summerville local accommodations tax | 2% (verify, may be 1%) |
| Total | 14%, may be 13% (verify) |
Charleston County part
| Tax | Rate |
|---|---|
| State sales tax (SCDOR) | 5% |
| State accommodations tax (SCDOR) | 2% |
| Local option sales tax (SCDOR) | 1% |
| Transportation sales tax (SCDOR) | 1% |
| Education capital improvement tax (SCDOR) | 1% |
| Charleston County accommodations fee (Charleston County) | 2% |
| Town of Summerville local accommodations tax | 2% (verify, may be 1%) |
| Total | 14%, may be 13% (verify) |
Verify: Town of Summerville local accommodations tax, 2%. The Town reported 2% to the SC Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office (unaudited, one figure for the whole Town). No Town ordinance stating the rate was reachable. Confirm the rate with the Town of Summerville Finance office before filing. Source: SC Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office, Municipal Accommodations Tax Revenues and Rates (FY 2023-24) (checked Oct 27, 2026).
Verify: Dorchester County local accommodations tax, 2%. Dorchester County reports a 2% local accommodations tax to the SC Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office (unaudited, FY 2023-24). No county ordinance confirming the rate or its reach inside the Town was reachable, and a county may not charge more than 1.5% inside a town without the town's consent (SC Code 6-1-520), so it may be lower here. Counted at 2% so you set enough aside; confirm with Dorchester County. Source: SC Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office, County Accommodations Tax Revenues and Rates (FY 2023-24) (checked Oct 27, 2026).
Verify: Town of Summerville local accommodations tax, 2%. The Town reported 2% to the SC Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office (unaudited, one figure for the whole Town). No Town ordinance stating the rate was reachable. Confirm the rate with the Town of Summerville Finance office before filing. A local news report (The Journal Scene, Aug 15, 2026) says the Town charges 1% in its Berkeley and Charleston County parts, so it may be 1% here. Source: SC Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office, Municipal Accommodations Tax Revenues and Rates (FY 2023-24) (checked Oct 27, 2026).
Tracker note, quoted from the Coastal SC STR Rules dataset: "Total unverified: the Town local accommodations tax rate is not confirmed by a Town ordinance. The Town levies a local accommodations tax under Town Code Chapter 8, Article IV, Division 2 (remittance and penalties in Secs. 8-122 to 8-124, per Feb 10, 2022 Council minutes); the SC Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office lists the Town rate as 2% for FY 2023-24 as reported by the Town (unaudited, one figure for the whole Town, not split by county part). Known parts by county (SCDOR per ST-575): Dorchester part 8% (state sales 5%, state accommodations 2%, transportation 1%); Berkeley part 10% (plus education capital improvement 1% and local option 1%) plus Berkeley County accommodations fee 2% (Ord. 21-05-28, applies inside municipalities, remitted to the Berkeley County Treasurer), so at least 12%; Charleston part 10% plus Charleston County accommodations 2% (remitted to Charleston County), so at least 12%. Dorchester County local accommodations tax: unverified (the state office lists a 2% county rate as reported by the county, but no ordinance confirming it or its reach inside the Town was reachable; the county 2% hospitality tax and the Town 2% hospitality tax cover prepared food and beverages, not lodging). Confirm the Town rate and remittance schedule with the Town Finance office before listing. Airbnb collects the SCDOR taxes only here. Mandatory cleaning and other required fees are part of the taxable rental charge; optional services the guest can decline are not (SCDOR Sales Tax Manual Ch. 11, Q6 to Q9)."
Cleaning fees and accommodations tax
It depends on whether the guest can decline it. Under the SCDOR Sales Tax Manual (Chapter 11, Questions 6 to 9), a mandatory cleaning fee is part of the taxable rent, even when it is listed as a separate line. An optional cleaning service the guest can choose or decline is not taxed. Tick the mandatory box in the calculator to include your cleaning fee in the taxable amount.
Source: SCDOR Sales Tax Manual, Chapter 11, Accommodations, Questions 6 to 9 (September 2025 edition).
How it works
Taxable amount = nightly rate x nights + other mandatory charges + the cleaning fee when it is mandatory. Tax = taxable amount x the sum of the known rates (plus any additional local rate you enter). Where a local rate is marked verify, it is the rate the town or county reported to the state, counted in full until the town or county confirms it.
FAQ
What is the accommodations tax rate in Summerville?
Dorchester County part 12% (verify); Berkeley County part 14%, may be 13% (verify); Charleston County part 14%, may be 13% (verify). Rates marked verify are the best official figure found, each with its source and the date checked, but the town or county has not confirmed them. The Town of Summerville and Dorchester County rates are the figures each reported to the state (unaudited), not confirmed by a Town or County ordinance. They are counted in full and marked verify.
Who collects accommodations tax in Summerville?
State and local sales taxes marked SCDOR are filed with the South Carolina Department of Revenue. Local accommodations taxes and fees are filed with the office named next to each rate; see the official sources below.
Is the cleaning fee taxable?
It depends on whether the guest can decline it. Under the SCDOR Sales Tax Manual (Chapter 11, Questions 6 to 9), a mandatory cleaning fee is part of the taxable rent, even when it is listed as a separate line. An optional cleaning service the guest can choose or decline is not taxed. Tick the mandatory box in the calculator to include your cleaning fee in the taxable amount.
Do I need to register or renew a license in Summerville?
Owner keeps 2 years of records on residency, days occupied, days rented and insurance.
Is this tax advice?
No. It is an estimate from public sources. Rates and rules change, so confirm with SCDOR and the local tax office.
Sources
- https://www.dor.sc.gov/sales-use-tax-index/accommodations (tax rates, checked Oct 25, 2026)
- https://www.dor.sc.gov/sites/dor/files/forms/ST575.pdf (tax rates, checked Oct 25, 2026)
- https://www.charlestoncounty.gov/departments/revenue-collections/local-accommodations-tax-application.php (tax rates, checked Oct 25, 2026)
- https://berkeleycountysc.gov/wp-content/uploads/docs/21-05-28.pdf (tax rates, checked Oct 25, 2026)
- https://www.summervillesc.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09232022-801 (tax rates, checked Oct 25, 2026)
- https://library.municode.com/sc/summerville/codes/code_of_ordinances (tax rates, checked Oct 25, 2026)
- https://rfa.sc.gov/sites/rfa/files/2025-11/Municipal%20Accommodations%20Tax%20Revenues%20and%20Rates.xlsx (tax rates, checked Oct 25, 2026)
- https://rfa.sc.gov/sites/rfa/files/2025-11/County%20Accommodations%20Tax%20Revenues%20and%20Rates.xlsx (tax rates, checked Oct 25, 2026)
- https://www.dorchestercountysc.gov/government/business-services/budget-revenue/accommodations-tax (tax rates, checked Oct 25, 2026)
- https://www.dorchestercountysc.gov/government/business-services/budget-revenue/hospitality-tax (tax rates, checked Oct 25, 2026)
- https://summervillesc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/108/Hospitality-Tax-Packet-PDF (tax rates, checked Oct 25, 2026)
- https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/2328 (tax rates, checked Oct 25, 2026)
- https://dor.sc.gov/sites/dor/files/Documents/Policy%20Manuals/Chapter%2011%20-%20Accommodations.pdf (tax rates, checked Oct 25, 2026)
- https://summervillesc.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=29 (registration and renewal, checked Oct 25, 2026)
Data from the Coastal SC STR Rules tracker, last verified Oct 25, 2026.
Zoning, permits, occupancy and parking rules for Summerville: Summerville STR rules. Host checklist: Summerville host checklist.
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Estimates, not tax or financial advice. Confirm rates with SCDOR and your local tax office before filing.