August 20, 2025

Beaufort County to Compensate $1.6 Million in Tax Refund Interest

Beaufort County, South Carolina, August 20, 2025

News Summary

Beaufort County, South Carolina, will issue $1.6 million in unpaid interest on real property tax refunds after an oversight since 2020 affected over 5,500 refunds. The County Assessor’s Office failed to compute the mandated interest during this period, prompting the county to collaborate with state officials to rectify the situation. A communication has been sent to eligible taxpayers detailing their refunds and owed interest, sourced from the county’s general fund. The county’s commitment to transparency aims to restore public trust within the community.

Beaufort County to Compensate $1.6 Million in Unpaid Interest on Property Tax Refunds After Four-Year Oversight

Beaufort County, South Carolina, has confirmed it will issue approximately $1.6 million in unpaid interest on real property tax refunds after an oversight that has lasted since 2020. Over the past four years, more than 5,500 tax refunds were issued without including the legally required interest, which is mandated by state policy.

This issue was first identified in May 2025 when county officials were alerted that interest calculations on tax refunds had not been conducted since 2020. The County Assessor, Ebony Sanders, previously communicated concerns about this oversight to former county administrators, but it remained unresolved. Following the discovery, County Administrator Michael Moore has instructed the County Assessor’s Office to work with the South Carolina Department of Revenue to determine the amount of outstanding interest owed to taxpayers.

Under South Carolina law, tax refunds must be processed within 75 days and if failed, taxpayers are entitled to receive interest on the amount owed. Historically, the county’s Auditing Office was responsible for these calculations. However, recent legislative changes have blurred the lines regarding departmental responsibilities, leading to confusion and oversight. The prior county auditor, James Beckert, halted interest calculations in 2020 due to difficulties in obtaining necessary information from the Assessor’s Office. Moreover, David Cadd, the current auditor who took office in July 2023, was not informed of the lack of completed interest calculations upon his appointment.

Taxpayers who are owed refunds will receive details directly from the county regarding their rebates and the amount of interest owed. Importantly, eligible taxpayers will only receive interest on the original amount owed, without any additional compensation for the time elapsed since the refund was initially issued. The funding for these interest payments will be sourced from the county’s general fund, which is approximately $200 million for the current fiscal year.

County Council Chair Alice Howard has reiterated the commitment to ensuring that taxpayers are made whole, highlighting the importance of restoring public trust within the community. Taxpayers with inquiries about real property interest refunds are advised to contact the Beaufort County Assessor’s Office at 843-255-2400.

Background Context

The oversight concerning interest calculations has raised significant concerns, given the legal obligations that Beaufort County is mandated to fulfill. Understanding how such lapses occurred allows for improved processes moving forward and helps minimize the risk of similar issues arising in the future. As public administrators work to rectify the situation, they reaffirm their commitment to transparency and proper stewardship of taxpayer resources.

FAQ Section

What caused the oversight in tax refund interest calculations?

The oversight occurred due to a lack of communication and confusion regarding departmental responsibilities, exacerbated by a change in leadership within the auditing office.

How will impacted taxpayers be notified?

Eligible taxpayers will receive direct communication from the county detailing the rebates and the amount of interest owed.

Where will the funds for the interest payments come from?

The interest payments will be sourced from the approximately $200 million general fund for the current fiscal year.

Who can I contact for more information regarding the property tax refunds?

Taxpayers may contact the Beaufort County Assessor’s Office at 843-255-2400 for any inquiries regarding real property interest refunds.

Key Features Overview

Feature	Details
Total Unpaid Interest	$1.6 million
Total Number of Refunds Issued	Over 5,500
Duration of Oversight	Since 2020
Deadline for Refund Processing	75 days
Current Fiscal Year General Fund	$200 million
Contact Number for Queries	843-255-2400

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Beaufort County Announces $1.6 Million Taxpayer Refund
Beaufort County to Refund $1.6 Million in Unpaid Interest
Beaufort County Discovers $1.6 Million Owed to Taxpayers

Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT

The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.

STAFF HERE BEAUFORT

The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.

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