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TO AMEND ARTICLE 3, CHAPTER 43, TITLE 12, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO COUNTY EQUALIZATION AND REASSESSMENT, BY ADDING SECTION 12-43-365, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE VALUE OF TANGIBLE AND INTANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY AND ANY INCOME DERIVED THEREFROM, WHETHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, SHALL NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE DETERMINATION OF FAIR MARKET VALUE OF GOLF COURSE REAL PROPERTY FOR AD VALOREM TAX PURPOSES.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The General Assembly finds that:
(1) The golf industry contributes significantly to the economic well-being of this State, particularly in the tourism sector of its economy, and brings with it a much needed infusion of capital and employment, as well as property tax revenues into local governments.
(2) Real and personal property for golf courses is taxable as provided in Article X, Section 1 of the Constitution of South Carolina, 1895.
(3) Pursuant to Article X, Section 2 of the South Carolina Constitution, the General Assembly may prescribe the methods of assessment of property for ad valorem taxation.
(4) Section 12-37-220(A)(10) of the 1976 Code provides that pursuant to Article X, Section 3 of the State Constitution, and subject to Section 12-4-720, "intangible personal property" is exempt from ad valorem taxation.
(5) In arriving at a fair market value determination for golf course real property, the Administrative Law Court in Sea Pines Plantation Co., Inc v. Beaufort Co., 01-ALJ-17-0018-CC, S.C. A.L.J.D. 2002, and The Ocean Course v. Charleston County Assessor, 03-ALJ17-0471-CC, S.C. A.L.C. 2005, clearly states that personal property and the income derived therefrom must be excluded from real estate valuation for ad valorem tax purposes, as in the case of Minnetonka Country Club Ass'n v. County of Hennepin, 1989 Minn. Tax LEXIS 44 (Minn. Tax Ct. April 7, 1989).
(6) The inclusion of personal property and any income derived therefrom in the valuation of golf course real property for ad valorem tax purposes results in double taxation.
(7) Current valuation methods utilized by some assessing entities in South Carolina result in the inclusion of personal property and the income derived therefrom in the valuation of golf course real property for ad valorem tax purposes.
(8) The inclusion of personal property and the income derived therefrom in the valuation of golf course real property for ad valorem tax purposes has been a recurring matter of dispute between golf course owners and assessing entities and has resulted in numerous appeals and increased litigation costs for both the public and private sector.
(9) It is desirable to promote uniformity among the counties and within the industry in the valuation of golf course real property for ad valorem tax purposes.
(10) It is desirable to prevent double taxation in the valuation of personal property.
(11) It is desirable to prevent duplicative litigation.
(12) In order to address these concerns, it is necessary to enact this legislation to clearly state that it is the law of South Carolina that the value of certain personal property, and the income derived therefrom, whether directly or indirectly, is to be excluded from the valuation of golf course real property.
SECTION 2. Article 3, Chapter 43, Title 12 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 12-43-365. The value of tangible and intangible personal property and any income derived therefrom, whether directly or indirectly, shall not be included in the determination of fair market value of golf course real property for ad valorem tax purposes."
SECTION 3. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 12-43-217 of the 1976 Code, the provisions of this act apply beginning with the taxable year in which this act takes effect.
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