Quick answer: South Carolina excludes 44% of net long-term capital gains, bringing the effective maximum state rate on a qualifying gain to roughly 3.4% — and most inherited-house sales qualify. See the full cost picture in the South Carolina probate real estate sale calculator.
A genuine, meaningful exclusion
Inherited property almost always qualifies
Federal law treats inherited property as long-term regardless of how briefly the estate actually holds it before selling, and South Carolina follows that same characterization for its 44% exclusion — so a probate sale, even one that closes quickly, typically still qualifies for the discount.
Roughly 3.4% effective, not the full top rate
With the 44% exclusion applied before South Carolina's roughly 6% top marginal rate, the effective maximum rate on a qualifying long-term gain works out to about 3.4% — nearly half of what the same dollar amount of ordinary income would face.
No estate or inheritance tax to layer on top
South Carolina imposes neither a state estate tax nor an inheritance tax, so this income tax on the realized gain is the only state-level tax question the sale itself raises.
A local probate attorney can review your estate — many offer a free consultation.
The 44% exclusion and the roughly 6% top rate apply identically whether the sale closes in Greenville, Charleston, Richland, or any other South Carolina county.