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Business Entity Formation

Business entities are formed by registration with the South Carolina Secretary of State.  

Limited Liability Company

Filing a Domestic LLC (for profit company, first registered in South Carolina) is a $110 initial filing fee, $ annual fee, and may not be submitted online. Expedited service is not available. Generally, upon receipt of a filing, the Secretary of State’s Office will have it completed within two business days. Annual report not required.

Filing a Foreign LLC (for profit company, first registered elsewhere) is a $110 initial filing fee, $ annual fee, and may not be submitted online. Expedited service is not available. Generally, upon receipt of a filing, the Secretary of State’s Office will have it completed within two business days.Annual report not required.

Corporation

Filing a Domestic Corporation (for profit company, first registered in South Carolina) is a $135 initial filing fee, $ annual fee, and may not be submitted online. Expedited service is not available. Generally, upon receipt of a filing, the Secretary of State’s Office will have it completed within two business days. The Articles of Incorporation should be signed by an attorney licensed to practice in the state of South Carolina. Annual report required.

Filing a Foreign Corporation (for profit company, first registered elsewhere) is a $135 initial filing fee, $ annual fee, and may not be submitted online. Expedited service is not available. Generally, upon receipt of a filing, the Secretary of State’s Office will have it completed within two business days.Annual report required.

Sole Proprietor

A sole proprietor business does not require registration with the state.

DBA (Doing Business As) or Fictitious Business Name

Businesses operating under an fictitious or assumed name are not are required to register with a government agency.

Business Licenses

Business licenses in South Carolina are issued through the Business licenses are issued at the county or city level. The South Carolina Association of Counties’ Website has contact information for all of the counties in South Carolina.  

Professional Licenses

There are a number of professions that require a state license in South Carolina. For more information on professional licenses, visit this website.  

State Income Tax

South Carolina does have a state income tax for individuals. South Carolina does have a state income tax for corporations. Visit this website for more information on business income taxes in South Carolina.

South Carolina does have a franchise tax for corporations. Corporations and other entities taxed for income tax purposes as a corporation are subject to an annual license tax of .001 times their capital stock and paid-in-surplus plus $15.

State Sales Tax

South Carolina does have a state sales tax. Visit this website for more information on sales taxes in South Carolina. Apply for an South Carolina sales tax permit here. South Carolina Business One Stop or SCBOS is the official South Carolina business web portal.  It enables anyone with an existing business or anyone starting a new business to file permits, licenses, registrations, or pay taxes.

Employer Assistance

The state of South Carolina administers labor and employment issues through the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.

Unemployment Insurance

Unemployment insurance information for employers in South Carolina is available at this website.  Apply for an SCESC Unemployment Insurance Account Number by completing the on-line Employer Status Report Registration form and any applicable Contribution & Wage Reports.

Unemployment insurance information for workers in South Carolina is available at this location.

Workers' Compensation

Information for employers in South Carolina regarding Worker's Compensation is available from the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission website.  

Occupational Health & Safety

South Carolina provides Occupational Health & Safety support through South Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Visit their website. The state occupational safety and health act requires employers to provide their employees with a safe and healthy worksite which is free of hazards which may cause injuries and illnesses to workers. The S.C. OSHA office conducts inspections of businesses to assure compliance with the law with a staff of 17 safety inspectors and 12 industrial hygienists.

Resources for Starting a Business in South Carolina