Florence County, South Carolina

Tax Lien138,049 residents

County research last verified 2026-07. Office holders, platforms, and deposit rules change — re-confirm anything time-sensitive.

Sale typestate default

Tax Lien

Redemption periodstate default

1 year from sale (12 months)

Investor returnstate default

3–12% per annum depending on when redeemed, tiered quarterly

Governing statutestate default

South Carolina Code Title 12, Ch. 51

Notes

South Carolina redeemable-deed tax sale. Florence County Office of Delinquent Tax holds the annual in-person public auction in the parking garage of the County Complex (180 N Irby St area). 2026 sale: Monday, October 5, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. (continues Oct 6+ if needed). Pre-registration required by Friday, October 2, 2026 with $10 registration fee — NO day-of registration. One year and a day redemption with 3%/6%/9%/12% quarterly interest ladder (interest never exceeds FLC opening-bid/tax amount). Unsold to Forfeited Land Commission. Tax deed is not a warranty deed; quiet title/Master in Equity often needed after year two. Pee Dee regional hub (Florence, Lake City).

Auction logistics

Format

In-person

Frequency

Annual (2026: October 5, continuing as needed; lists added September 2026)

Platform

Florence County Office of Delinquent Tax — Annual Tax Sale ↗

Deposit rules

Pre-register with form by Oct 2, 2026 ($10 fee with form or on sale day). Pick up bid paddles ~8:30 a.m. sale day (Room 107 or garage per fee-paid status). Pay winning bids in full the day of sale in cash, postal money order, cashier's check, or certified check only — failure to pay: $500 fine per property and nonqualified for future sales. No mail bids. Delinquent tax payments (pre-sale) also require cash/certified funds (no personal checks).

Title risk

Liens that survive the sale

County states a tax sale does not erase liens currently attached — they may stay on the tax title. Federal liens require independent analysis. No possession until tax deed issues after redemption (~deed recording around March following the year-and-a-day window).

Quiet title

Tax deed is not a clear/warranty deed; county notes clearing often requires attorney and Master in Equity after the second year.

Deal maths for South Carolina

Assessment ratio: 0.06× of market value
Typical quiet title: $1,800–$5,000 · 5 mo
Recording and transfer: $250

S.C. Code § 12-43-220(e): all other real property not otherwise provided for is assessed at six percent of fair market value. South Carolina assesses by property class rather than by county — 4% legal residence (c), 4% agricultural held by individuals (d)(1)(A), 6% agricultural held by corporations (d)(1)(B), 10.5% manufacturing and utility (a)(1).

Offices and records

Tax collector

Florence County Office of Delinquent Tax ↗

843-665-3095

Clerk of court

Florence County Clerk of Court / Register of Deeds ↗

Property appraiser

Florence County Assessor / GIS ↗

GIS / parcel map

Florence County Delinquent Tax Sale GIS map tools ↗

Areas trending up

Directional read from dated market analysis — not a guarantee, and not a substitute for your own comps.

Florence / medical–downtown corridor

Regional hospital and Pee Dee employment hub supporting multifamily and SF demand

West Florence / I-95–I-20 logistics edge

Distribution employment and highway access supporting workforce housing

Lake City / south county

Entry pricing and agricultural-service employment with deeper inventory than Florence core