S.C. Code Ann. § 12-37-255 – Homestead exemption to continue; county auditor to be informed of change affecting eligibility

(a) When the homestead exemption is initially granted pursuant to Section 12-37-250 of the 1976 Code it shall continue to be effective for successive years in which the ownership of the homestead or the other qualifications for the exemption remain unchanged. Notification of any change affecting eligibility shall be given immediately to the county auditor.
(b) The notification shall be given by the person liable for payment of the taxes on the homestead in the year of change and in each successive year that the exemption is improperly granted. The amount of any tax exemption granted by reason of the failure to give the notification and a penalty equal to twenty-five percent of the amount thereof shall be due and payable for each year in which the exemption is granted by reason of the failure to give notice. The penalty and the amount of tax shall be added to the current year's duplicate and shall be collected in the same manner as other taxes.
A lien is hereby created for the tax and penalty upon the property exempted by reason of the failure to give notification, which shall have priority over all other liens.
(c) The Comptroller General shall be notified by the county auditor of the amount of tax and penalty payable by reason of the failure to give the notification. The amount of such tax and penalty shall be withheld by the Comptroller General from the next disbursement of state funds to such county and, if a municipal tax, to the municipality.