Adding pennies supports infrastructure work

South Carolina motor fuel users can expect next month to pay an extra two cents on the gallon at the gas pumps. For a fifth straight year, the South Carolina Motor Fuel User Fee, which helps support road, bridge and infrastructure construction, will increase on July 1 from 24 to 26 cents a gallon.  The increase is part of a 2017 state law that raises the fee by two cents each July until 2022.  The state Department of Revenue reminds taxpayers they may claim a credit to help offset the increases.  The credit equals the lesser of the vehicle maintenance fees paid during the year or what was paid in the increase motor fuel user fees.  Preliminary data show that so far this year the credit has been claimed on some 63 and a half thousand returns, totaling $3.8  million in credits issued.