Property owners who rent residential property, either short-term or long-term, within the Town of Hilton Head are required to obtain a business license. Previously, a single-property owner was exempt, but that has now been revoked.
Importantly, this business license and associated tax applies even if the property is rented through a rental management company. The property management company will pay their business license tax based on their gross commissions, while the property owner will pay their business license tax based on the gross rental income of the property.
Owners should be proactive and get their application submitted sooner than later. The deadline to apply for a business license is April 30, 2022, and will need to reflect the rental income generated in 2020.
You can find the Property Rental Business License Application HERE, and important information from the Town on what is needed if you are renting property.
Below is a sample calculation sheet provided by the Town as a means of showing what the business license cost might be for a single property owner.
What do I need to do if I am a property owner that will require a business license in 2022?
You will need to submit a business license application to Revenue Services to obtain a business license.
The application can be emailed to RS@hiltonheadislandsc.gov or mailed to:
Town of Hilton Head Island, 1 Town Center Court, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Additional Revenue Services staff will be dedicated to processing applications in 2021 and will mail your business license payment form to you in January 2022.
More information can be found on the Town of Hilton Head Island Website HERE or by calling the Revenue Services Specialist at (843) 341-4677.