We recently shared our election guide with you to help prepare for your trip to the polls next month. As you research candidates and questions on your ballot, we wanted to dive deeper on the penny tax referendum you’ll see on your ballot in Greenville County.

What is a Penny Tax?

A penny tax is a 1% sales tax on retail purchases in the county excluding items like gas + groceries and — if approved — it would be in effect from May 1, 2025 to April 30, 2033.

It’s the first time in 10 years Greenville County has a penny sales tax referendum on the ballot, and when you see it — it’s long (like ~800 words long).

Don’t we already have that?

Actually, no. Greenville is one of only a few counties (three, to be exact) in the state that has never had a penny tax. Right now, we just pay the 6% state sales tax.The last time Greenville County tried to enact a penny tax in 2014, voters did not approve it.

How much will it raise?

If the 1% sales tax is approved, it is estimated to generate $1,046,832,000 over the next eight years. Here’s how that money would be spent:

$473,919,000 for 1,445 road improvement, repaving + reconstruction projects
$216,100,000 for 51 intersection improvement projects
$313,200,000 for 31 roadway safety + congestion relief projects
$43,613,000 for 37 bridge + road-related drainage projects

Why is it so wordy?

The reason the referendum is ~800 words is because it lists priority projects within each of these categories. You can look up your sample ballot to see the full list. Reminder: The voter registration deadline was extended to Monday, Oct. 14 — so there's still time to register to vote.