LookbackGuide

← All states

South Carolina: social security tax

Whether your state taxes Social Security retirement benefits, and the income limits that decide who pays.

Does the state tax Social Security?No
How it worksSocial Security benefits are exempt from state income tax

Federal tax on benefits is separate and depends on your total income. State rules are for tax year 2026 unless noted.

General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Exceptions can apply. Confirm with the state agency, the court or a licensed professional in South Carolina.

How South Carolina compares

43 of 51 states and DC share this answer (No): Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Alaska: NoAKMaine: NoMEVermont: Yes, above income limitsVTNew Hampshire: NoNHWashington: NoWAIdaho: NoIDMontana: YesMTNorth Dakota: NoNDMinnesota: Yes, above income limitsMNIllinois: NoILWisconsin: NoWIMichigan: NoMINew York: NoNYRhode Island: Yes, above income limitsRIMassachusetts: NoMAOregon: NoORNevada: NoNVWyoming: NoWYSouth Dakota: NoSDIowa: NoIAIndiana: NoINOhio: NoOHPennsylvania: NoPANew Jersey: NoNJConnecticut: Yes, above income limitsCTCalifornia: NoCAUtah: Yes, above income limitsUTColorado: Yes, above income limitsCONebraska: NoNEMissouri: NoMOKentucky: NoKYWest Virginia: NoWVVirginia: NoVAMaryland: NoMDDelaware: NoDEArizona: NoAZNew Mexico: Yes, above income limitsNMKansas: NoKSArkansas: NoARTennessee: NoTNNorth Carolina: NoNCSouth Carolina: NoSCDistrict of Columbia: NoDCOklahoma: NoOKLouisiana: NoLAMississippi: NoMSAlabama: NoALGeorgia: NoGAHawaii: NoHITexas: NoTXFlorida: NoFL
  • Yes (8)
  • No (43)

Also for South Carolina: Medicaid long-term care in South Carolina · Small estate limits in South Carolina · Will and trust rules in South Carolina · Estate and inheritance tax in South Carolina · Common law marriage in South Carolina · Property tax rates in South Carolina · Medicaid expansion in South Carolina · Inheritance tax in South Carolina · All South Carolina rules on one page

How we checked this

The list of eight taxing states matches Kiplinger, AARP and other 2026 trackers. Income limits come from each state's revenue department instructions and statutes, as compiled by a state-source table reviewed October 30, 2026. Last checked: November 12, 2026. Laws change; confirm with the state agency or a licensed professional before acting.

Cross-checked sources agree   Checked on official source confirmed on a government, court or legislature site   Single detailed source one detailed table built from statutes or official data   Under review sources disagree; read the note and the law.