2026 fiscal calendar
Know the tax date before it becomes a penalty date.
Tax bills, payment rules, and valuation-review windows are controlled by the local jurisdiction and the governing state framework. The verified record below separates published figures from dates that require confirmation with Lancaster County Assessor's Office.
Effective rate
Lancaster County states that county, municipal, school, and other taxing entities set separate millage rates.
Statement mailing
By December 16, 2026; Lancaster County states property-tax bills must be mailed 30 days before the January 15 due date, but it does not publish an exact 2026 mailing day.
Payment deadline
2026 real-property taxes are due by January 15, 2027 without penalty; January 16–February 1: 3% penalty; February 2–March 16: 10%; March 17 onward: 15% under South Carolina Code §12-45-70 and the county tax schedule.
Valuation protest
For 2026, appeal by the deadline printed on the assessment notice, generally within 90 days; if no notice is issued, the county's reassessment guide makes the applicable no-notice window January 1–15, 2027.
Critical payment warning
Do not assume a grace period.
The verified county record identifies the payment timing above but does not establish a universal penalty schedule for this page. Late charges, interest, collection costs, tax-sale procedures, and lien or foreclosure timelines can depend on state law and the local collector’s process. If the deadline is close or a balance is delinquent, contact the tax collector directly and request the current payoff amount in writing.
Treat the published payment deadline as a hard operational date and retain your receipt or confirmation number.
Read the calendar in order
From assessment to collection
1. Valuation and notice
Review the assessment notice as soon as it arrives. The protest window may run from the notice date rather than from the payment due date.
2. Statement and account review
Match the tax statement to the parcel or account number and confirm exemptions, assessed value, taxing units, credits, and balance.
3. Payment confirmation
Use the official collector channel, then save the receipt, transaction reference, and date posted. A bank submission is not always the same as a county posting date.