Surfside Beach Accommodations Tax Calculator
Estimate the tax on a short-term rental stay in Surfside Beach, SC (Horry County). Every rate below comes from an official state, county or town source and is quoted on this page. At a glance: 12%.
Verified total: 12%. Every rate below is quoted from an official source, checked Oct 27, 2026.
Airbnb hosts: Airbnb's South Carolina tax page says it collects the state taxes, Surfside Beach's 0.5% Local Accommodations Tax and the County local accommodations tax. It does not list the Town's 1% hospitality tax, so plan on remitting that 1% yourself unless your Airbnb statement shows it was collected.
Results
Surfside Beach short-term rental tax rates
| Tax | Rate | Official source and quote |
|---|---|---|
| State sales tax (SCDOR) | 5% | SCDOR Accommodations Tax page: "5% Sales Tax" |
| State accommodations tax (SCDOR) | 2% | SCDOR Accommodations Tax page: "2% Accommodations Tax" |
| Education capital improvement tax, Horry County (SCDOR) | 1% | City of North Myrtle Beach, Hospitality Fee FAQ: "1% Horry County School Capital Tax" |
| Transportation (road) tax, Horry County (SCDOR) | 1% | City of North Myrtle Beach, Hospitality Fee FAQ: "1% Road Tax" |
| Town hospitality tax (Town of Surfside Beach) | 1% | Town of Surfside Beach, Hospitality and Local Accommodations Tax return: "Hospitality Tax Line 1 x 1%" |
| Town local accommodations tax (Town of Surfside Beach) | 0.5% | Town of Surfside Beach, Hospitality and Local Accommodations Tax return: "Accommodations Tax Line 1 x .50%" |
| Horry County hospitality fee, inside city limits (Horry County) | 1.5% | Horry County Hospitality Fee: "Businesses located inside city limits will calculate the fee at 1.5% of gross proceeds from the Sale of Food/Beverages, Rental of Transient Accommodation" |
| Total | 12% (verified) |
How the totals check out:
- SCDOR ST-575 sales and accommodations tax rate chart (Rev. 2/5/26) states 9% for State sales tax (SCDOR) plus State accommodations tax (SCDOR) plus Education capital improvement tax, Horry County (SCDOR) plus Transportation (road) tax, Horry County (SCDOR): "Surfside Beach Horry ECI (5261), TT (1026) 8% 9%"
On the Town's return, both Town taxes are charged on line 1, gross proceeds from rental of transient accommodations. Town of Surfside Beach, Hospitality and Local Accommodations Tax return: "1. Gross Proceeds from Rental of Transient Accommodations"
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 rates (plus any additional local rate you enter).
FAQ
What is the short-term rental tax rate in Surfside Beach?
12% in total for a short-term rental in Surfside Beach (Horry County), checked Oct 27, 2026. Every component is listed on this page with a quote from its official source.
Who do I pay the tax to in Surfside Beach?
The 9% state part is filed with SCDOR. The Town's 1% and 0.5% go to the Town's Hospitality Office on one monthly return, late after the 20th day following the period. The County's 1.5% goes to Horry County by the 20th.
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.
Does Airbnb collect the tax in Surfside Beach?
Airbnb's South Carolina tax page says it collects the state taxes, Surfside Beach's 0.5% Local Accommodations Tax and the County local accommodations tax. It does not list the Town's 1% hospitality tax, so plan on remitting that 1% yourself unless your Airbnb statement shows it was collected.
Is this tax advice?
No. It is an estimate from public sources. Rates and rules change, so confirm with the South Carolina Department of Revenue and the local tax office.
Sources
- SCDOR Accommodations Tax page (checked Oct 27, 2026)
- City of North Myrtle Beach, Hospitality Fee FAQ (checked Oct 27, 2026)
- Town of Surfside Beach, Hospitality and Local Accommodations Tax return (checked Oct 27, 2026)
- Horry County Hospitality Fee (checked Oct 27, 2026)
- SCDOR ST-575 sales and accommodations tax rate chart (Rev. 2/5/26) (checked Oct 27, 2026)
- Airbnb Help: tax collection in South Carolina (checked Oct 27, 2026)
- SCDOR Sales Tax Manual, Chapter 11, Accommodations (cleaning fee rule, Questions 6 to 9)
Who pays where: The 9% state part is filed with SCDOR. The Town's 1% and 0.5% go to the Town's Hospitality Office on one monthly return, late after the 20th day following the period. The County's 1.5% goes to Horry County by the 20th. Town of Surfside Beach, Hospitality and Local Accommodations Tax return: "This return becomes delinquent if it is postmarked after the 20th day following the close of the period."
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Estimates, not tax or financial advice. Confirm rates with the South Carolina Department of Revenue and your local tax office before filing.