South Carolina taxes capital gains as ordinary income (6.2%) — stacked on federal capital gains and the 3.8% NIIT. Here's how to spread the gain across years and keep more of it.
South Carolina taxes capital gains as ordinary income — up to 6.2% before its exclusion. South Carolina's 44% exclusion lowers the effective rate well below the top rate. Stacked on the federal rate (up to 20%) and the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax, a one-year sale of a business, building, or appreciated asset takes a serious bite.
The federal tax, the 3.8% surtax, and your South Carolina tax are all driven by recognizing the gain in a single year. A §453 structured installment sale lets you receive the proceeds — and pay the tax — over future years, keeping more of the gain in lower brackets, reducing the surtax, and lowering the South Carolina tax in the deferred years. Payments are backed by an A-rated carrier, and because it's a federal statute it works fully in South Carolina. Unlike a 1031, no replacement property is required.
Estimate your number on the calculator (select South Carolina), then plan the structure before you sign.
South Carolina taxes capital gains as ordinary income, up to 6.2% before its exclusion. This is on top of the federal rate (up to 20%) and the 3.8% NIIT.
Yes. A §453 structured installment sale spreads the proceeds and gain over multiple years, lowering the federal and South Carolina tax in the deferred years. It's a federal strategy that works in South Carolina.
A 1031 works for like-kind real estate if you reinvest on schedule. A structured installment sale fits if you want to exit real estate, are selling a business or stock, or can't find a replacement property.
Yes — prior depreciation is recaptured at sale and generally recognized in the year of sale even in an installment sale. The capital-gain portion is what gets spread.
Use the free capital gains tax calculator, select South Carolina, and it estimates federal + state + NIIT + recapture, then shows the savings from deferring.
Before you sign anything, run your numbers with someone who structures the deal to be tax-smart and audit-ready from day one.
Call 213-414-2808 Run the Numbers →