Letter: Devil in the details on car tax appeals

My wife and I saw your article, "An unknown number of Beaufort County drivers are being overcharged in taxes on their cars."

It said, "New Beaufort County auditor Jim Beckert said he is working to find a solution. One possibility he's considering is sending out tax bills with an eye-catching notice that explains that car tax is based on the most expensive version of the car."

We called the Beaufort County auditor about our two automobiles.

The auditor's office said, "We have found a value that would be lower than your current one. This would create a difference in the bill around $16. The appeal process is as follows: when your bill comes due, in your case July, you have up to the end of the month and before paying the bill, to appeal the values (South Carolina Code of Laws 12-39-250). When you receive a bill next year, please bring it in so that we can re-check the values of your vehicles.

"The appeal process is (spelled out) on the county website. The form is also located on the website.

"There is an appeals board, however you do not fall into these parameters due to the ability to appeal has to be done by the last day of the month of your tax bill and before it is paid."

Dennis Sanders

This story was originally published October 1, 2015 at 11:51 PM with the headline "Letter: Devil in the details on car tax appeals."