S.C. Code Ann. § 12-60-1770

A taxpayer who requests a contested case hearing before the Administrative Law Court pursuant to this article may avail himself of the small claims case provisions of Section 12-60-520 if the case otherwise meets the requirements of that section. In an action commenced by a county assessor or auditor, the taxpayer in his response to the county assessor's or auditor's request, may designate the case a small claims case if no more than ten thousand dollars of taxes and penalties, not including interest, are in controversy at the time the taxpayer's response is made.