Accommodations Tax Grants

Each year, the Town conducts an open application period for non-propfit organizations to submit Accommodations Tax Funds Request Applications for Accommodation Taxes collected by the Town of Hilton Head Island.

As applicable to Hilton Head Island, the State law (SC Code of Laws Title 6, Chapter 4) specifies three groups, in general, which are entitled to receive bed tax funds after other mandated distributions have been made from the total funds available:

  1. Town government: "Based on the estimated percentage of costs directly attributed to tourists," Town expenditures for "the criminal justice system, law enforcement, fire protection, solid waste collection and health facilities when required to serve tourists and tourist facilities." See 6-4-10(b) and (b.4).
  2. Qualified groups advertising and promoting tourism in order to develop and increase tourism. See 6-4-10(b.1).
  3. Qualified sponsors of arts and cultural events and for construction, maintenance, and operation of facilities for civic and cultural activities. See 6-4-10(b.2 and b.3).

The law requires that the funds be used for tourism-related expenditures "primarily in the geographical area ... (of Hilton Head Island)." See 6-4-10(d). The Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee considers how applications either drive tourism to the Town or enhance our visitors' experience.

Requests for funding must be submitted by a non-profit organization.

2024 Accommodations Tax Grant Application Dates & Deadlines

Monday, July 31, 2023 8 am - Application available online
Thursday, August 10, 2023 2 pm - Applicant Workshop
Friday, September 1, 2023 4 pm - Application Deadline
Thursday, September 28, 2023 9 am - Preliminary Review of Applications
Thursday, October 12,2023 9 am - 4:30 pm
Applicant Hearings
Thursday, October 19, 2023 9 am - 4:30 pm
Applicant Hearings
Thursday, November 2, 2023 9 am - Review and Recommendations

* Town Council will meet to award the Accommodations Tax Grant Funds at a date to be determined.

Resources



SC Code of Laws

Title 6, Chapter 4
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t06c004.php

SC Tourism Expenditure Review Committee

TERC
https://atax.sc.gov/laws-and-procedures