Sales Tax in Chester, South Carolina in 2025

We'll walk you through how the sales tax rate is determined for Chester and address some common questions you may have. We'll also cover how to collect, audit, and remit sales tax in Chester.

Plus, we’ll share the best solution that will ensure you are always compliant across the entire sales tax lifecycle.

Disclaimer: Our sales tax data is updated on a quarterly basis. 

Chester Sales Tax Rate 2025

Chester is located in Chester County in South Carolina, United States, and has a sales tax rate of 8.000%. This is the combination of local and state sales tax rates.

Here is the breakdown of the Chester's sales tax:

Tax Jurisdiction	Sales Tax Rate
South Carolina State Tax	6.000%
Local Tax	2.000%
Combined Rate	8.000%

This rate applies to the following zip codes in Chester:

29706

How Does the Chester Sales Tax Compare to the Rest of South Carolina?

Chester’s 8.000% sales tax rate is 1.000% lower than the highest sales tax rate in South Carolina, which stands at 9.000% in cities like Seabrook Island.

It is 2.000% higher than the lowest sales tax rate in South Carolina, which stands at 6.000% in cities like Westminster.

To give you a better idea, here’s a comparison of Chester sales tax rates with a few other cities in South Carolina:

City	Sales Tax Rates
Westminster	6.000%
Greer	7.000%
Anderson	7.000%
Chester	8.000%
Chester	8.000%
Seabrook Island	9.000%

You can also compare the sales tax rate of Chester against the South Carolina cities closest in population size:

• Walterboro's sales tax rate is 8.000%
• Central's sales tax rate is 7.000%

What Creates Sales Tax Nexus in Chester?

Chester shares the same sales tax nexus rules as South Carolina. 

Read More: Check out this detailed guide on Sales Tax in South Carolina.

You have sales tax nexus in Chester if you fulfill any of the these conditions:

• Physical nexus: Businesses with offices, distribution houses, sale houses, warehouses, or other places of business. 
• Employees: Businesses with any agent operating within South Carolina under the retailer’s or subsidiary’s authority.
• Economic nexus: Businesses whose gross revenue exceeds $100,000 in the previous or current calendar year.

Learn more about sales tax nexus and when you’re required to collect sales tax.

What Products Are Exempt from Chester Sales Tax?

Chester doesn't have any special exemptions and follows the same sales tax rules as South Carolina.

The following items are exempt from sales tax in Chester:

• Medicine and prosthetic devices sold by prescription.
• Insecticides, chemicals, fertilizers, soil conditioners, seeds, seedlings, and nursery stock used for farming and agricultural production. 
• Water supplied by public utilities and designated non-profit corporations.

Who Needs a Sales Permit in Chester?

Any retailer selling, leasing, or renting tangible personal property in Chester should collect sales tax. 

How to Collect Sales Tax in Chester

South Carolina follows destination-based sales tax sourcing for both in-state and out-of-state businesses, which also applies for Chester. This means that if you sell to a South Carolina resident, you must apply the sales tax rate based on the buyer’s shipping address.

Learn more about origin-based and destination-based sales tax sourcing here.

How to File and Pay Sales Tax in Chester

You can file Chester sales tax returns using the following methods:

• Automated: Let Zamp handle your South Carolina sales tax filing and remittance so you won’t ever have to deal with a sales tax return.
• Online: Taxpayers with a tax liability of $15,000 or more per filing period should file and pay electronically via the MyDORWAY website.
• Offline: Taxpayers whose tax liability is less than $15,000 should file Form ST-389 with your State Sales & Us​e Tax Return (ST-3).