Short-term rental & Airbnb taxes in Hilton Head Island, SC (2026)
Short-term rental guests in Hilton Head Island pay roughly 10% in combined occupancy and lodging taxes. Here's the itemized breakdown, who collects each one, and what you may need to remit yourself.
Itemized tax rates
| Tax | Rate | Who collects |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina State Sales and Use TaxApplies to listings/stays of 89 nights or shorter, including cleaning and guest fees. Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit as marketplace facilitators; hosts who rent exclusively through those platforms are not required to register with the state, but hosts taking direct bookings must register with SCDOR and remit. | 5% | varies |
| South Carolina State Accommodations TaxApplies to stays of 89 nights or shorter. Collected by Airbnb/Vrbo on platform bookings; host remits on direct bookings. | 2% | varies |
| Town of Hilton Head Island Local Accommodations TaxPart of a combined 3% town levy (1% Accommodations Tax + 2% Beach Preservation Fee) on gross rental sales for stays under 90 days. Airbnb collects and remits Hilton Head's local taxes; per Avalara, Vrbo does NOT collect the local tax, and hosts renting independently must open an account with the Town's Revenue Services Office and file quarterly (due Apr 20, Jul 20, Oct 20, Jan 20). Note: Airbnb's tax page labels the split as 2% local ATAX + 1% BPF, while the Town's official page states 1% ATAX + 2% BPF — total is 3% either way; the Town's split is used here. | 1% | varies |
| Town of Hilton Head Island Beach Preservation FeeUsed for beach renourishment and beach-related services/facilities. Same collection mechanics as the town Local Accommodations Tax: Airbnb collects; Vrbo and direct-booking hosts remit quarterly to the Town. Late payments accrue a penalty of 5% of the unpaid amount per month. | 2% | varies |
What will guests pay on a Hilton Head Island stay?
Enter a nightly rate to see the itemized occupancy-tax cost.
Hilton Head Island occupancy tax calculator
| Gross rent | $450.00 |
| South Carolina State Sales and Use Tax (5%)· collection varies | $22.50 |
| South Carolina State Accommodations Tax (2%)· collection varies | $9.00 |
| Town of Hilton Head Island Local Accommodations Tax (1%)· collection varies | $4.50 |
| Town of Hilton Head Island Beach Preservation Fee (2%)· collection varies | $9.00 |
| Total tax (10%) | $45.00 |
| Guest pays | $495.00 |
Estimate only. Platform collection varies by listing site and agreement; verify rates with the taxing authorities.
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Verified July 12, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Tax rates and collection rules change; confirm current requirements with Hilton Head Island and your booking platform.