out-of-state boaters a break on their property taxes

Horry County Council will meet Tuesday to decide whether to give out-of-state boaters a break on their property taxes.


Local marina owners say they're losing business, because the county boat tax law is not keeping up with other states and counties.


The marina operator says the word has gone out to boaters in northern states to avoid Horry County.

"The Web sites that deal with boaters that travel the Intracoastal Waterway, all the boating publications are telling boaters to bypass South Carolina because of this tax law," said Myrtle Beach-based marina consultant Gregg Smith.


Right now, northern boaters who want to spend their winters in Horry County have to start paying property taxes on their boats after being docked in the county for 60 days.


Each county is allowed to set its own time limits before taxes are assessed and some counties, like Beaufort, have already lengthened theirs to 180 days.


That's what marina operators want for Horry County, to give them a level playing field and keep boaters here.

"These folks spend thousands and thousands of dollars in our economy during the winter months when they're here and in these tough economic times, we sure don't need to see that stop," Smith said.

County Auditor Lois Eargle supports the change, but says it could cost the county $160,000 in lost revenue.


Smith said the loss will be even greater if the law isn't changed.

"In sales tax and groceries and all of those kinds of things that these boaters would buy, I would say that that $160,000 would be a small drop in the bucket for what the economy of Horry County will get by changing this law."


One marina operator says she's already lost 50 boats in the past six months because of the law.

Many residents are convenced that the County will show its leadership as it did last year with lowering taxes for residents.


The boat tax law passed first reading in November. If it passes Tuesday, it would need one more reading to become law.