Property Exemptions for Veterans is a guide, posted as a PDF on the Anderson County, South Carolina website, that explains the property tax exemptions available to SC veterans, Medal of Honor recipients and POWs and what to submit to claim them. It is one of the Anderson County property tax resources a veteran may need: it covers the exemption on a home and land and on two private passenger vehicles, and says to apply through MyDORWAY, by mail or in person. On this page you can view and download the official PDF; the application itself is Form PT-401-I from the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR), and you complete it outside FillingPDF.
Last updated
What is Property Exemptions for Veterans – Anderson County, SC?
Property Exemptions for Veterans is the "Tax Tips for Veterans" guide posted by the Anderson County Assessor that explains South Carolina's property tax exemptions for veterans, Medal of Honor recipients and POWs, who qualifies, and how to apply.
The guide describes three groups of benefits:
- Veterans: an exemption on the home and land, up to five acres if the home and land are on the same parcel, and on two private passenger vehicles owned or leased by the veteran solely and/or jointly titled with a spouse.
- Surviving spouses: one vehicle registered solely in the surviving spouse's name, and a home exemption in the situations the guide lists.
- Medal of Honor recipients and POWs: an exemption on the home and land, up to one acre, and on two private passenger vehicles owned or leased by the recipient or POW.
The guide is not the application. To claim an exemption you fill out an application and attach supporting documents: the guide names MyDORWAY, the SCDOR online tax portal, or the Property Tax Exemption Application for Individuals (PT-401-I), which you download at dor.sc.gov/forms. For a full explanation the guide points to dor.sc.gov/exempt-property.
It is also separate from the homestead exemption, which the Anderson County Assessor's page says is applied for at the County Auditor's Office.
Who needs to file Property Exemptions for Veterans – Anderson County, SC?
Veterans whom the VA has deemed totally and permanently service-connected disabled are the main group the guide addresses; they qualify for the exemption on a home and land and on two private passenger vehicles.
Other groups named in the guide:
- Surviving spouses of veterans: one vehicle registered solely in the spouse's name. The home exemption applies if, when the veteran died, the spouse acquired sole ownership in fee or for life from the deceased veteran, or if the spouse already owned the home solely before the veteran's death.
- Medal of Honor recipients and POWs: a home and land exemption up to one acre and two private passenger vehicles.
The Anderson County Assessor's page adds that a house and up to one acre are also exempt for the surviving spouse of certain military veterans, service men or law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, and for paraplegics, hemiplegics or their surviving spouses. It says applications go through the South Carolina Department of Revenue, (803) 898-5480.
Limits to keep in mind: the five-acre allowance applies to veterans and the one-acre allowance to Medal of Honor recipients and POWs, and the vehicles must be private passenger vehicles. The guide does not name anyone who may apply for another person.
When to file Property Exemptions for Veterans – Anderson County, SC
Apply once you meet one of the situations the guide describes, such as a VA determination of total and permanent service-connected disability; the guide prints no filing deadline of its own for the exemption application.
The home and land exemption requires proof of legal residence approval from the county assessor's office, so that approval comes first. The Anderson County Assessor's page says a legal residence application may be filed any time before January 15, when taxes are due, and that once it is approved no further application is needed unless ownership or use of the property changes. If you moved or bought a home, the page says to apply for legal residence on the new home as soon as possible.
For vehicles registered or purchased out of state, the guide says you must pay the taxes upfront.
Documents you need
- A VA letter certifying that you are totally and permanently service-connected disabled, showing the effective date; the guide lists it among the documents to provide with the application.
- For vehicles: a copy of the SC registration card, SC bill of sale or SC title. Vehicles registered or purchased out of state require you to pay the taxes upfront.
- For home and land: a copy of the recorded deed.
- For home and land: proof of legal residence approval from the county assessor's office.
- A marriage certificate, if the home or vehicles are owned jointly with a spouse.
How to fill out Property Exemptions for Veterans – Anderson County, SC
Check that you qualify
Read the guide: veterans must be deemed totally and permanently service-connected disabled by the VA, and Medal of Honor recipients and POWs and surviving spouses have their own conditions. Note the acreage limit that applies to you.
Gather your supporting documents
Collect the VA letter with the effective date, vehicle registration, bill of sale or title, the recorded deed, proof of legal residence approval and, if property is joint, a marriage certificate.
Get the application
Use MyDORWAY at MyDORWAY.dor.sc.gov, or download the Property Tax Exemption Application for Individuals (PT-401-I) at dor.sc.gov/forms.
Complete the application
Fill out the application by hand or in MyDORWAY, following the SCDOR instructions at dor.sc.gov/exempt-property. This guide PDF has no fields to complete.
Submit with your documents
Upload the documents in MyDORWAY, or mail the PT-401-I with the documents to SCDOR as described under How to submit.
How to submit Property Exemptions for Veterans – Anderson County, SC
The guide gives three ways to apply: online through MyDORWAY, by mail, or in person.
- MyDORWAY: the guide calls this the quickest way. MyDORWAY is SCDOR's free online tax portal, where you fill out the application and submit your supporting documents. Start at MyDORWAY.dor.sc.gov.
- Mail: download and complete the Property Tax Exemption Application for Individuals (PT-401-I) at dor.sc.gov/forms, include your supporting documents, and mail to SCDOR, Government Services Division, PO Box 125, Columbia, SC 29214-0720.
- In person: the guide allows it but gives no office address.
For proof of legal residence approval, contact the Anderson County Assessor at 401 East River Street, Anderson, SC 29624 (mail: Post Box 8002, Anderson, SC 29622), Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., (864)260-4028 or [email protected].
Questions about the exemption go to SCDOR at 803-898-5700 or [email protected]. FillingPDF lets you view and download the official PDF; you complete the application outside FillingPDF and submit it through the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mailing the PT-401-I to the county Assessor's Post Box 8002 when the guide gives SCDOR, Government Services Division, PO Box 125, Columbia, SC 29214-0720 for mailed applications.
- Claiming the five-acre allowance as a Medal of Honor recipient or POW; the guide limits their home and land exemption to up to one acre.
- Applying for the home exemption without proof of legal residence approval from the county assessor's office.
- Omitting the copy of the recorded deed when claiming the exemption on home and land.
- Leaving out the marriage certificate when the home or vehicles are owned jointly with a spouse.
- Submitting an out-of-state vehicle registration or bill of sale without paying the taxes upfront, which the guide requires for vehicles registered or purchased out of state.
- Expecting two vehicles as a surviving spouse; the guide lists one vehicle registered solely in the surviving spouse's name.
- Treating this guide as the application or confusing it with the homestead exemption, which is applied for at the County Auditor's Office.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Property Exemptions for Veterans guide?
It is the "Tax Tips for Veterans" guide posted on the Anderson County website. It explains South Carolina's property tax exemptions for veterans, Medal of Honor recipients, POWs and surviving spouses, who qualifies and how to apply. It is a guide, not the application form.
Who qualifies for the veterans property tax exemption in Anderson County, SC?
Veterans deemed totally and permanently service-connected disabled by the VA qualify. The guide also covers surviving spouses, who must meet its ownership conditions, and Medal of Honor recipients and POWs, who have a smaller land allowance.
How much land and how many vehicles are exempt?
Veterans: the home and land up to five acres if on the same parcel, plus two private passenger vehicles. Medal of Honor recipients and POWs: home and land up to one acre and two private passenger vehicles. A surviving spouse: one vehicle in the spouse's name alone.
How do I apply for the veterans property tax exemption?
Fill out an application and provide supporting documents, through MyDORWAY, which the guide calls the quickest way, or by mail or in person with the PT-401-I from dor.sc.gov/forms. Questions go to SCDOR at 803-898-5700.
What documents do I need to apply?
A VA letter certifying total and permanent service-connected disability with the effective date; for vehicles, an SC registration card, bill of sale or title; for home and land, the recorded deed and proof of legal residence approval; and a marriage certificate if property is joint with a spouse.
Where do I mail the PT-401-I?
Mail it with your supporting documents to SCDOR, Government Services Division, PO Box 125, Columbia, SC 29214-0720. You can download the PT-401-I at dor.sc.gov/forms. The guide also allows applying online through MyDORWAY or in person.
Can I fill out this form online on FillingPDF?
No. This PDF is a guide with no fields to complete, so FillingPDF lets you view and download it. The application is the PT-401-I or MyDORWAY, completed outside FillingPDF. FillingPDF is independent and does not file anything with SCDOR or Anderson County.
Is the veterans exemption the same as the homestead exemption?
No. The Anderson County Assessor's page treats the homestead exemption as separate and says applications for it are made at the County Auditor's Office. The veterans exemption in this guide is applied for through SCDOR.
Ready to fill out Property Exemptions for Veterans – Anderson County, SC?
Fill out Property Exemptions for Veterans – Anderson County, SC now