FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 4, 1997

Local Sales Tax Takes Effect May 1 in 6 Counties

Beginning May 1, all sales in Berkeley, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Darlington, Kershaw and Williamsburg counties will be subject to an additional 1% local option sales and use tax. Voters in those counties approved the local tax in the November 1996 general election. Revenue from the local option sales tax is used to provide property tax relief.

The local option tax already is in effect in Abbeville, Allendale, Bamberg, Charleston, Chester, Colleton, Dillon, Edgefield, Florence, Hampton, Jasper, Lancaster, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, McCormick, Pickens, Saluda and Sumter counties, bringing the number of counties with local option sales and use tax to 25.

The Department of Revenue mailed notices to all businesses located in Berkeley, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Darlington, Kershaw and Williamsburg counties notifying the owners of the new tax. Additionally, businesses which are located elsewhere in the state but make deliveries to one of these six counties will be required to collect and report the local option sales and use tax.

The South Carolina Department of Revenue is conducting free 90-minute workshops for business owners in these six counties to help them understand the requirements of the local option tax. The workshop dates and times are listed below:

Berkeley County, Moncks Corner Town Hall, Wednesday, April 23, 3:30-5 p.m.

Chesterfield County, Chesterfield County Courthouse, Tuesday, April 15, 6:30-8 p.m.

Clarendon County, Western Steer Restaurant, Manning, Wednesday, April 16, 6-7:30 p.m.

Darlington County, Hartsville Chamber of Commerce, Tuesday, April 22, 6:30- 8 p.m.

Kershaw County, Camden Chamber of Commerce, Tuesday, April 22, 2:30-4 p.m.

Williamsburg County, Williamsburg County Courthouse auditorium, Tuesday, April 8, 1-2:30 p.m.