GOOSE CREEK, SC

What is a short-term rental? 

A short-term rental, also known as a vacation rental, is the rental of a legally-permitted dwelling unit for periods of less than 30 consecutive days per occurrence. A short-term rental license is required prior to advertising and renting your property.

Who needs to apply for a short-term rental permit? 

Any owner renting a property for a period of 30 consecutive days or less is required to apply for a short-term rental permit. It is the owner(s)' responsibility to know and comply with all ordinances, resolutions and regulations that apply to short term rentals within the City of Goose Creek, SC. 

What if I do not obtain a short-term rental permit? 

Renting or advertising your home for rent on a short-term basis without a permit is in violation of the City of Goose Creek, SC's ordinances and subject to enforcement processes as provided for in city code article XIV section 11-500. 

What is the Accommodation tax? 

This is a 1% tax on your gross short-term rents not already remitted by an intermediary. Hotels do not pay this tax. Hotels pay a Hospitality tax. Gross short-term rent includes all consideration received for occupancy including all non-optional fees (other than taxes) such as booking/reservation fees; cleaning fees; pet charges; fees for extra vehicles, people or beds; etc.; and any amounts received from lodging intermediaries. 

When is the Accommodation tax due? 

Accommodation tax payments are due monthly no later than the 20th of the month following the end of the prior month. If there was no rental activity for the entire month, you are still required to submit the completed lodging tax form. 

How is penalty and interest calculated on late payments? 

Penalties: Delinquent one month, the penalty is 5% of the tax due.  

What is the Hospitality tax? 

This is a 2% tax on gross hotels bookings. Gross bookings all consideration received for occupancy including all non-optional fees (other than taxes) such as booking/reservation fees; cleaning fees; pet charges; fees for extra vehicles, people or beds; etc.; and any amounts received from lodging intermediaries. 

When is the Hospitality tax due? 

Hospitality tax payments are due monthly no later than the 20th of the month following the end of the prior month. If there was no rental activity for the entire month, you are still required to submit the completed lodging tax form. 

How is penalty calculated on late payments? 

Penalties: Delinquent one month, the penalty is 5% of the tax due.  

Do I also need to obtain a separate business license? 

No. The STR Permit is all you need to begin advertising your rental and remitting taxes. 

What is the cost of an STR permit? 

There is an annual fee of $100.00 

Does my short-term rental permit apply to multiple properties? 

No. You are only allowed to short-term rent one dwelling unit per permit in the city of Goose Creek, SC. An owner is permitted a maximum of one "whole home" rental and one "partial home" rental but each STR requires its own Permit and is subject to an annual fee.  

Do I have to display my Permit? 

Yes. The STR permit, visitor emergency information, must all be posted in a conspicuous place within the short-term rental unit at all times. Your STR permit PDF can be found in the Business Center by clicking your account name under "Manage Your Account(s)". 

Is the city working with AirBNB? 

No. AirBNB does not collect or remit lodgers' tax to the City of Goose Creek, SC on behalf of property owners and/or authorized agents. 

Is the city working with VRBO? 

No. VRBO does not collect or remit lodgers' tax to the City of Goose Creek, SC on behalf of property owners and/or authorized agents. 

Can I pay by credit card? 

Yes! We are able to take Visa and MasterCard. The City of Goose Creek, SC does not assess a convenience fee, but your credit card company might impose a fee.

Can I pay by e-check? 

Yes! You can select your e-check during checkout. In doing so, you authorize you bank to send the payment electronically to the City of Goose Creek, SC. The city does not pull the money from your account, ever.  

Where are my tax forms? My Action Center is empty.  

Your tax forms will be available on the 1st day of the month following the last day of the tax period. For example, the first quarter (January-March) tax forms will be available in your action center on April 1.

If you do not see the forms you expected, please contact the City of Goose Creek directly at licensing@goosecreeksc.gov or call 843-797-6220. 

How do I amend a tax return? 

Tax form amendment requests are processed by the local jurisdiction upon request from the account holder. The GovOS support team is not authorized to amend returns.   

Please email Jennifer with the City of Goose Creek at jalthoff@goosecreeksc.gov requesting to file an amended return.  

In the email please include:
- Six-digit account number and account name 

- Period you need to amend (i.e. August form due September 20th) 

- If you overpaid or underpaid your original form 

- Brief explanation as to why the form needs to be amended  

If you would like to follow up on your amendment request, please contact The City of Goose Creek at jalthoff@goosecreeksc.gov or call 843-797-6220. 

I need to close my account. What do I do?  

Account closure requests are processed by the local jurisdiction upon request from the account holder. The GovOS support team is not authorized to directly close your account.    

Please include the following in your email to the County:   

If you would like to follow up on your closure request once it has been sent, please contact the City of Goose Creek at jalthoff@goosecreeksc.gov or call 843-797-6220. 

Can I manage multiple properties with one login? 

Yes. To do so, click 'Add Accounts' from your user login under the Manage your Account(s) section of the Business Center. You will need your 6 digit account number and the GovOS activation code to connect to an existing property record. 

Can a property have more than one user? 

Yes. Each property can have an unlimited number of users connected. Each user is required to provide the 6 digit account number and the GovOS activation code to be authorized to connect to an existing property record.  

I misplaced or did not receive the letter with my activation code. What do I do? 

Contact GovOS Support at blt.str.support@govos.com or by phone at (888) 751-1911 for assistance. You will need to confirm account details to be verified for the account. To protect the security on property accounts, you will need written (e-mail) permission from a registered owner or officer of the property for us to provide you with a new activation code.  

Can I file a zero file tax return through GovOS? 

To file a zero file tax form, select your tax form from your action center. Then, complete the required information on the remittance, including gross rents and any deductions. You will be prompted to confirm your desire to complete the return as a zero file return. 

What payment types are accepted by the city through GovOS? 

The city accepts ACH debit/e-check, as well as the following major credit cards: Visa, MasterCard and Discover.  

Can I schedule a payment in GovOS? 

For your security, GovOS does not store any payment information in the system. You will need to enter your payment information each time you check out.  

How do I change the user on a property? 

All users need to register, just as you did, by going to the home page for that jurisdiction (i.e. https://goosecreeksc.munirevs.com/). They will click on the "go" button under "new users". They will also need the 6 digit account number and activation code for the property. 

I forgot my password. What do I do?  

From the log in page, click the "forgot your password?" link and follow the instructions that will be e-mailed to the user's registered e-mail address. 

Do I have to login to GovOS to see my alerts and reminders? 

No. All alerts are e-mailed to your authenticated e-mail address. When you login to the system, you will also see any open alerts that need to be addressed in your action center.