Here's what you need in South Carolina
Official state business portal: South Carolina Business One Stop (SCBOS). SCBOS is the state's official site for starting a business. It explains registrations, licenses, taxes and hiring, and has a Business Wizard.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General state business licenseNo general state business license. South Carolina does not have a statewide business license. Business licenses are usually issued by your county or city, and some places need both. | South Carolina Business One Stop (SCBOS) | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Form an LLCArticles of Organization. To form an LLC in South Carolina, file Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. The filing fee is set by state law (Section 33-44-1204). | South Carolina Secretary of State | $110 filing fee | Applyat businessfilings.sc.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business name (DBA)Doing Business As (DBA). The state of South Carolina does not register DBAs. You can usually record your DBA on your local business license, and your county clerk may have its own rules. | Your county or city | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Sales tax permitRetail License. Businesses must get a retail license from the SCDOR before selling taxable goods. You need a separate license for each location, and the license does not expire. | South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) | $50 one time fee | Applyat dor.sc.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (once you hire)State Unemployment Insurance Tax (SUITS) registration. Employers register with the state unemployment insurance tax system run by SCDEW. SCDEW decides whether your business owes unemployment tax. | South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW) | You pay tax on wages | Applyat uitax.dew.sc.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Federal tax ID (EIN)Employer Identification Number (EIN). You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) | Free | Applyat irs.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Costs after you start
What an LLC in South Carolina pays or files after it is formed.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No annual report for LLCsAn LLC that is not taxed as a corporation does not file an annual report or pay the yearly license fee. An LLC that chooses to be taxed as a corporation files the corporate annual report with the Department of Revenue. | South Carolina Department of Revenue | Not needed | Applyat dor.sc.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Licenses by type of business
State level licenses. Your city or county may add its own permits.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hair salon, barber shop or nail salonSalon License. Salons need a license from the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology, and a new salon must pass an inspection. | South Carolina Board of Cosmetology (LLR) | $100 initial fee, $72 to renew | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Child care in your homeFamily Child Care Home Registration. A home that regularly cares for up to 6 children, counting the operator's own children, is a family child care home and must register with DSS. | South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant)Alcohol Beverage License (ABL). Bars and restaurants apply for an alcohol license or permit with SCDOR. The filing fee depends on the license, and some licenses need a retail license first. | South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) | Depends on the license type | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| General contractorGeneral Contractor License. General and mechanical contractors are licensed by the South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board. General contractor licenses expire on October 31 of every even numbered year. | South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (LLR) | $350 initial license fee | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling homemade food (cottage food)Home-Based Food Production. You can make shelf stable foods such as cakes, cookies and roasted nuts at home and sell them without a retail food permit. Products must carry the required label. | South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
What is different in South Carolina
- At $110, the LLC filing fee is near the middle: 28 of 49 verified states charge less and 19 charge more.
- Where to file a business name (DBA): The state of South Carolina does not register DBAs. You can usually record your DBA on your local business license, and your county clerk may have its own rules.
- Contractor licensing in South Carolina: General and mechanical contractors are licensed by the South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board. General contractor licenses expire on October 31 of every even numbered year.
- At $100, the salon or shop license fee is near the middle: 14 of 36 verified states charge less and 19 charge more.
Steps to start a business in South Carolina
Pick a structure and register it
Sole owners can start under their own name. To form an LLC, file the Articles of Organization with the South Carolina Secretary of State ($110).
Get a free EIN
Apply on irs.gov. You need it to hire, and banks usually ask for it. Never pay a website for an EIN.
Register your business name
If you trade under a name that is not your legal name, file a DBA with the Your county or city.
Register for sales tax
If you sell taxable goods or services, get your permit from the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) before your first sale.
Get a state license for your type of business
Salons, child care, alcohol, building work and home food each have their own state rules. See the table above.
Check city and county permits
Ask about a local business license, zoning, health and building permits before you sign a lease.
Register as an employer when you hire
Open a state unemployment insurance tax account with the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW).
City and county permits
Cities and countys in South Carolina can require their own business license, zoning approval, health permit or building permit. Rules change from place to place, so ask your city hall and county clerk before you sign a lease. Home businesses often need a home occupation permit.
Questions about business licenses in South Carolina
Do I need a business license in South Carolina?
No. South Carolina does not have a statewide business license. Business licenses are usually issued by your county or city, and some places need both.
How much is a business license in South Carolina?
There is no general state business license fee in South Carolina. A local business license, if your city or county requires one, is priced by that city or county. State licenses for some types of business have their own fees, listed on this page.
How much is an LLC in South Carolina?
The South Carolina Secretary of State charges $110 filing fee to file the Articles of Organization. To form an LLC in South Carolina, file Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. The filing fee is set by state law (Section 33-44-1204).
How much does an LLC cost per year in South Carolina?
No annual report for LLCs: An LLC that is not taxed as a corporation does not file an annual report or pay the yearly license fee. An LLC that chooses to be taxed as a corporation files the corporate annual report with the Department of Revenue.
Does an LLC need a business license in South Carolina?
Yes, if your type of business or your location requires one. Forming an LLC only registers your company with the state; it is not a license. An LLC in South Carolina still needs any state license for its type of business and any local business license from its city or county.
Do I need a sales tax permit in South Carolina?
Yes, if you sell taxable goods or services. Businesses must get a retail license from the SCDOR before selling taxable goods. You need a separate license for each location, and the license does not expire. Official fee: $50 one time fee.
How do I get a DBA in South Carolina?
The state of South Carolina does not register DBAs. You can usually record your DBA on your local business license, and your county clerk may have its own rules.
Can I sell homemade food from home in South Carolina?
You can make shelf stable foods such as cakes, cookies and roasted nuts at home and sell them without a retail food permit. Products must carry the required label.
Do contractors need a state license in South Carolina?
General and mechanical contractors are licensed by the South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board. General contractor licenses expire on October 31 of every even numbered year. Official fee: $350 initial license fee.
Do I need an EIN?
You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. It is free: never pay a website for an EIN.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from an official government page, checked on the date shown. Facts we could not confirm are marked Not yet verified and show no number. How we check.
- General state business license South Carolina Business One Stop (SCBOS) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Form an LLC South Carolina Secretary of State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Business name (DBA) Your county or city Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sales tax permit South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Unemployment insurance (once you hire) South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Official business portal State of South Carolina Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hair salon, barber shop or nail salon South Carolina Board of Cosmetology (LLR) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Child care in your home South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant) South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- General contractor South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (LLR) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling homemade food (cottage food) South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- No annual report for LLCs South Carolina Department of Revenue Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Federal tax ID (EIN) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026