Bill Limiting Fair Market Value of Certain Commercial Property for Property Tax Assessment Signed Into Law
On June 14th, Governor Haley signed into law H 3713 . Dubbed the “point of sale bill,” the legislation limits increases in the fair market value of commercial property brought about by assessable transfers of interest. When commercial property (all real property other than that used as the primary residence and for manufacturing) undergoes an assessable transfer of interest (as defined in S.C. Code Ann. § 12-37-3140 ) after 2010, and its assessable transfer of interest (ATI) fair market value is greater than the current fair market value on the books of the property tax assessor, then the excess amount (up to twenty-five percent of the transaction fair market value) is exempted from property tax. The exemption value (the transaction fair market value less the exemption) cannot be any less than the current fair market value, and in the event the transaction market value is less than the current fair market value, then the transaction market value applies. Examples : If commerci