By admin 
State Rep. Jermaine Johnson reported over the last five years his personal income drop by almost $18,000 and did not owe federal income tax in the last four years, according to tax returns released by his campaign.
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Johnson, the Democratic nominee for governor, also didn’t owe any state income tax in 2025, according to the filings.
Johnson voted against the H. 4216, a bill that was signed into law that aims to eliminate the state income tax. However, the new tax law increase taxes on 22% of filers or about 624,000 filers because of a switch to how the state calculates how much income tax a person owes, according to Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office estimates.
“I voted against that bill because it raised taxes on the South Carolinians who have the least, and my own tax situation never entered into that decision,” Johnson said. “Republicans in Columbia have now raised taxes on working people twice, first at the gas pump and now through this bill, and I could not in good conscience vote for a plan that asks the most of the folks least able to pay.”
Johnson also files separately from his wife, Evan Johnson, with whom he has four kids, according to the returns. The income tax returns of Evan Johnson, who is a pharmacist, was not released by the campaign.
“Evan and I have always filed separately on the advice of our accountant, the same as a great many married couples across South Carolina do,” Johnson said in a statement.
The State newspaper requested access to the tax returns of Johnson and Attorney General Alan Wilson, the Republican nominee for governor to allow people to understand how hopefuls for governor earn money, types of expenses they incur, and how much they pay income taxes.
In 2021, however, the Democratic nominee for governor this year paid $2,870 to the federal government in income taxes, and $959 in state income taxes.
In 2022 his state income tax liability was $281. In 2023, he paid $166 in income tax to the state. In 2024, he initially owed $291 in state income tax, but then had a $146 nonfundable credit for installing a solar energy system, bringing his tax bill down to $145. He had no state income tax in 2025.
In 2021, only claimed one dependent, his daughter, Khloe. Since 2022, he has claimed two dependents on his returns, his daughter and a nephew, who he has supported since his brother died. Johnson’s other three children are listed on Evan’s return as dependents, his campaign said.
Johnson also runs Dream Team Consulting, which co-owned 60 acres in lower Richland County for a solar farm, has reported annual losses from the business, which reduced his adjusted gross income. Johnson also started a trucking business during the time period of tax returns reviewed by The State. The trucking business, like all motorists dealt with rising fuel prices in 2021 and 2022 before gradually declining, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
In 2021, he had $39,000 in losses. In 2022, he had $31,000. In 2023, he had $30,000 in losses. In 2024, he had $24,000 in losses and in 2025 he reported $59,000 in losses on the business.
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“Like so many small business owners here in South Carolina and across this country, I have watched rising fuel costs cut into everything we worked to build, and the policies coming out of Washington have made that burden heavier for every family business that depends on the road,” Johnson said in a statement. “The losses on my returns come directly from fuel and trucking expenses, which are the same pressures business owners in every corner of this state are carrying right now. I understand what they are going through because I have been through it myself.”
In 2021, Johnson reported $77,475 in income. By 2025 his income had dropped to $59,479, according to the returns.
In each of the federal returns reviewed by The State, Johnson also took the standard deduction, which kept him from itemizing for any property taxes or home mortgage interest he paid.
In each of the years reviewed by The State, Johnson took the additional federal child tax credit in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. The refundable credit is available to certain taxpayers if the traditional child credit is more than their tax liability.
In 2022, Johnson, who earns $10,400 a year as a state representative, also reported income from Dream Team Consulting, Nevada-based staff recruitment firm 360 Talent Avenue and the state of South Carolina as he’s a state representative.
As a state representative, Johnson received a $1,000 a month stipend for in-district expenses, as well as taxable subsistence payments.
In 2024, he also qualified for a retirement savings tax credit of $186 on his federal return. In 2023, he took the $171 retirement savings credit.
His federal tax liability was $0, as child tax credits and retirement account contributions reduced how much he owed.
In 2025, Johnson initially reported $59,479 in income, but also a $59,265 loss from his consulting firm, bringing his adjusted gross income to $3,248. He had no tax liability to the state and federal government. Johnson also had a $3,034 capital gain in 2025.
“I am proud of what I have built for my family, and I am proud of the time I have spent coaching others who want to start and grow businesses of their own. I believe that record would be a credit to South Carolina, and I stand firmly behind it,” Johnson added.
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