Last updated: November 12, 2026
The best cost segregation firms in South Carolina for 2027 are Elliott Davis, Cherry Bekaert and Engineered Tax Services, followed by Source Advisors, Cost Seg Smart and R.E. Cost Seg. Elliott Davis leads for a Greenville firm with deep South Carolina roots, Cherry Bekaert for licensed engineers paired with tax staff, and Engineered Tax Services for South Carolina studies including Piedmont and Hilton Head.
South Carolina investors own Charleston and Myrtle Beach vacation rentals, Greenville and Spartanburg industrial buildings, and fast-growing multifamily across the state. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act made 100% bonus depreciation permanent for qualifying property acquired after January 19, 2025, so reclassified components can often be deducted in the first year on the federal return.
South Carolina’s treatment of federal bonus depreciation has differed from the federal rules in past years. Because conformity can change, ask your CPA how a study will affect your South Carolina return.
| Firm | Location | Founded | Specialty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Elliott Davis | Greenville, SC | 1920 | Southeast accounting firm | South Carolina owners |
| 2. Cherry Bekaert | Raleigh, NC | 1947 | CPA firm pairing licensed engineers with tax staff | Southeast owners |
| 3. Engineered Tax Services | West Palm Beach, FL | 2001 | Licensed engineering firm for specialty tax | South Carolina owners of all types |
| 4. Source Advisors | Arlington, TX | Not published | Cost segregation and fixed asset studies | Owners who want a site visit |
| 5. Cost Seg Smart | Los Angeles, CA | 2024 | Residential and commercial studies with audit support | Coastal rental investors |
| 6. R.E. Cost Seg | Houston, TX | 2022 | Investor-focused studies at two depths | Rental investors |
| 7. O’Connor | Houston, TX | Not published | Property tax and cost segregation services | Owners who also appeal taxes |
| 8. Duffy+Duffy | Westlake, OH (Novi, MI office) | 2002 | Cost segregation only | Owners whose CPA wants training |
| 9. KBKG | Pasadena, CA (seven US offices) | 1999 | Tax credits and incentives with engineered studies | Larger owners |
| 10. Forvis Mazars | Springfield, MO | Not published | National accounting firm | Larger operators |
We looked for firms with South Carolina offices or studies, experience with coastal vacation rentals and Upstate industrial, and clear audit support.
Rankings are editorial. No firm paid for its position. State tax notes are general information; confirm your situation with a CPA.
Elliott Davis is headquartered in Greenville and offers cost segregation as part of its tax services.
It suits owners who want a South Carolina firm to handle the study and the return.
Best for: South Carolina owners who want a local accounting firm.
Cherry Bekaert pairs licensed engineers with tax professionals and offers a complimentary feasibility analysis.
Its Southeast footprint suits South Carolina owners.
Best for: Southeast owners who want a feasibility check first.
Engineered Tax Services publishes South Carolina studies, including a Piedmont gas station and Hilton Head residential rentals.
As a licensed engineering firm, it suits complex properties.
Best for: South Carolina owners who want comparable studies.
Source Advisors publishes South Carolina cost segregation pages and conducts a site visit on nearly every study.
It brings more than 40 years of specialty tax experience.
Best for: Owners who want an inspection.
Cost Seg Smart publishes pages for Charleston and Myrtle Beach and offers low-cost studies with written IRS responses included.
It suits coastal short-term rental investors.
Best for: Coastal vacation rental investors.
R.E. Cost Seg offers a Rapid Report and a Fully Engineered Study with audit defense included.
It suits South Carolina multifamily and rental investors.
Best for: South Carolina rental investors.
O’Connor publishes Carolinas cost segregation pages and handles property tax appeals.
It suits owners who want both reviewed.
Best for: Owners who want a tax appeal review.
Duffy+Duffy runs free CPE seminars in South Carolina and focuses only on cost segregation.
It gives a flat-fee quote before work begins.
Best for: Owners whose CPA values a dedicated partner.
KBKG has offered cost segregation since 1999 and reports a 99% IRS audit success rate.
It suits larger South Carolina commercial owners.
Best for: Larger owners.
Forvis Mazars offers cost segregation and fixed asset services with offices across the Southeast.
It suits larger operators with complex reporting.
Best for: Larger operators.
Ask for studies on properties like yours in South Carolina, and whether an engineer will visit.
State rules can differ from federal rules. Ask your CPA how the study affects your South Carolina return.
Coastal homes may qualify for short-term rental treatment. See our list of cost segregation firms for luxury vacation homes.
Confirm audit support. See our list of cost segregation firms with audit defense guarantees.
Not always. Conformity has differed in past years. Ask your CPA.
Usually yes, because the federal benefit is the main driver.
Not necessarily. National firms work everywhere, but a local engineer can make site visits easier.
Yes. A lookback study lets your CPA catch up missed depreciation with Form 3115. See our list of cost segregation firms for lookback studies.
Elliott Davis, Cherry Bekaert and Engineered Tax Services are the strongest picks for South Carolina investors, with Source Advisors, Cost Seg Smart and R.E. Cost Seg close behind.
For related lists, see our cost segregation firms in Georgia, cost segregation firms in North Carolina and short-term rental cost segregation firms.