Richland County Penny Sales Tax Starts Wednesday

Shoppers in Richland County will start paying an extra penny-on-the-dollar sales tax Wednesday to fund transportation projects. 

The penny sales tax will be in addition to the 6 percent state sales tax, the hospitality tax and any other locally-approved taxes.

The sales tax in Richland County will now be 8 percent for goods and accomodations, 12 percent for room rentals and 10 percent for meals and drinks at restaurants.

The percent of sales tax charged may vary slightly for residents who live in the part of Irmo that's in Richland County and the City of Eastover. See a chart that lists the sales tax rates.

The penny sales tax will also be charged for groceries, which are exempt from the state sales tax. People in Richland County will now pay a 2 percent tax on groceries. 

Voters approved the penny sales tax in a Nov. 6 referendum.

The tax is estimated to generate more than $1 billion to be used for the bus system, roadways, bike paths, and pedestrian greenway projects over the next 22 years.