Spartanburg County, South Carolina

Tax Lien369,256 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 tax-deed county. Spartanburg County Tax Collector sells delinquent real estate and mobile homes at public outcry (e.g. Nov 18–19, 2025 at Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium). Opening bid by Forfeited Land Commission equals delinquent taxes, penalties, costs, plus current-year taxes. Twelve-month redemption with stepped interest (3%/6%/9%/12% by quarter). Tax deed after redemption expires is not a warranty deed. Unsold/FLC inventory may go to Terry Howe online auctions.

Auction logistics

Format

In-person (primary annual sale); FLC online (Terry Howe) for older inventory

Frequency

Annual multi-day sale typically mid-to-late November (2025: Nov 18–19). Continue next business day if needed. Confirm next-year date on spartanburgcounty.gov Tax Sale Info.

Platform

Spartanburg County Delinquent Tax / Tax Sale Procedures ↗

Deposit rules

Successful bidder must pay legal tender (cash, cashier’s check, certified check, or money order) before close of tax sale day. Default: $500 liability per property. Register per current Bidder Registration Procedures page before sale.

Title risk

Liens that survive the sale

During 12-month redemption, purchaser holds tax-sale interest not free title. After tax deed, federal liens and some governmental interests can survive; deed is not warranted. Full title search required.

Quiet title

After redemption expires and tax deed issues, quiet title is commonly required for marketable/insurable SC tax title.

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

Spartanburg County Delinquent Tax Collector ↗

864-596-2597

Clerk of court

Spartanburg County Register of Deeds / Clerk of Court ↗

Property appraiser

Spartanburg County Assessor / Auditor ↗

GIS / parcel map

Spartanburg County GIS / parcel map resources ↗

Areas trending up

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

Boiling Springs / north Spartanburg

Retail and residential growth corridor with strong SF absorption north of the city

Duncan / Lyman / Wellford (west Upstate)

I-85 logistics and BMW-supplier employment supporting workforce housing demand

Downtown / westside Spartanburg redevelopment

Urban infill and job-access inventory with relatively lower entry prices