Taxable Items

What items are taxed?

All food and/or beverage sales prepared or modified for immediate consumption. The following are examples of taxable items:

• Produce (Vegetables, Fruit) cut, sliced, cored, etc., or prepared/modified on site (Ex: Vegetable and Fruit Trays)
• Meats and cheeses cut, sliced, or prepared on site (Ex: Meat and Cheese Trays)
• Salads made on site
• Sandwiches/subs prepared on site
• Bakery items cooked/baked on site
• Coffee brewed on site
• Seafood steamed/cooked on site
• Grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, pizza, nachos, chicken, etc.
• Packaged dinners cooked on site (Thanksgiving Dinner, etc.)
• Fountain drinks
• Any food prepared, modified, or cooked on site by an employee or contractor
• Any prepared foods or meals that are subject to South Carolina Sales Tax
• Any served beverage, inclusive of beer, wine, and liquor

What items are exempt from the tax?

• Cold, canned or bottled drinks in a vending machine on site
• Consolidating fruit into a basket (Fruit baskets)
• Prepackaged items (not prepared or modified on site) consolidated into a larger container to make one package (Gift Basket)
• Repackaged, ready-to-consume meats, cheeses, and deli salads
• Packaged dinners that are not cooked or modified on site
• Items cooked or baked off site without modifications on site
• Ready-to-eat prepackaged food that a customer re-heats on site (Customer is making the food consumable)

 
This list is not intended to be all-inclusive, but to serve as a guide of the most common items that may or may not be subject to the Hospitality Tax. If you have any questions concerning the Richland County Hospitality Tax, please contact the Richland County Business Service Center at bsc@richlandcountysc.gov or (803) 576-2287.