How to Start an LLC in South Carolina
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South Carolina LLC filing fee & timeline
To form an LLC in South Carolina you file your Articles of Organization with the state and pay the state filing fee of $110. Incofile adds a flat, one-time service fee on top — no monthly charges — and your total is always shown before you pay.
Most South Carolina LLC filings are prepared and submitted within one business day. State approval time depends on South Carolina's current processing queue, typically ranging from a few business days to a few weeks, with expedited options available in many states.
Why form an LLC in South Carolina
South Carolina is simple to start in and cheap to keep: Articles of Organization cost $110, and an LLC taxed the default way does not file a yearly report with the state. From 2026, owners pay state income tax at just 1.99% on the first $30,000 of taxable income.
South Carolina LLC at a glance
| State filing fee | $110 |
|---|---|
| Document filed | Articles of Organization, filed through Business Entities Online |
| Annual report | None for an LLC taxed as a sole proprietorship or partnership |
| If taxed as a corporation | Files an annual report and license fee with the SC Department of Revenue (minimum $25) |
| State income tax (2026) | 1.99% on taxable income under $30,000; a higher rate of 5.21% applies above it |
| Registered agent | Required; must have a physical South Carolina street address |
State figures checked against the South Carolina Secretary of State, Business Entities Division, September 2026. State fees are set by South Carolina and can change; the exact total is shown before you pay.
How much does it cost to start an LLC in South Carolina?
| Cost | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (state filing fee) | $110 | Required, one time |
| Registered agent | $0 if you act as your own agent at a South Carolina street address; otherwise a registered agent service | Required, ongoing |
| Annual report | None for an LLC taxed as a sole proprietorship or partnership | — |
| EIN from the IRS | Free from the IRS | Needed for a bank account and taxes |
These are state, IRS and other outside costs — not Incofile fees. Your Incofile package price is shown separately at checkout, and your full total is always shown before you pay. Estimate every cost for your state with our LLC cost calculator.
How to form an LLC in South Carolina — 4 steps
Choose your package
Pick the Incofile package that fits your goals. Your South Carolina state filing fee is shown before you pay.
Tell us about your LLC
Complete our short form with your company name, address and ownership details — about ten minutes.
We check & file with South Carolina
We confirm your name is available and file your Articles of Organization with the South Carolina state office.
Get your documents
Your approved South Carolina LLC documents land in your dashboard, with reminders for your annual report and other deadlines.
How to start an LLC in South Carolina: step by step
Here is exactly what forming a South Carolina LLC involves, whether you file it yourself or let Incofile handle the paperwork.
Choose and check your LLC name
Pick a name that includes “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company” and is distinguishable from existing South Carolina businesses. Check it with our free business name search.
Appoint a registered agent
Name a registered agent with a physical street address in South Carolina (not a PO box) who can accept legal papers during business hours. If you live outside South Carolina or want privacy, Incofile can act as your agent.
File the Articles of Organization
File through the Secretary of State’s Business Entities Online system and pay $110.
Create an operating agreement
South Carolina does not require you to file an operating agreement, but it records who owns the LLC, how profits are shared and how decisions are made. Banks commonly ask for it, and it helps protect your limited liability.
Get an EIN
Apply to the IRS for your Employer Identification Number (EIN). You need it to open a business bank account, hire staff and file federal taxes. The IRS issues it free; non-US owners without an SSN apply by phone, fax or mail, and our Gold package handles it for you.
Register for taxes and local licenses
Register with the SC Department of Revenue through MyDORWAY for sales tax and withholding if needed, and get your city or county business license.
Stay compliant each year
A standard South Carolina LLC files no annual report. Only an LLC that elects corporate tax treatment files an annual report and license fee with the Department of Revenue.
South Carolina LLC filing requirements: what you need
- A business name that is available and meets South Carolina's naming rules (it must include “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company”).
- A registered agent with a physical address in South Carolina — Incofile can be your agent.
- Articles of Organization filed with the South Carolina state office — we prepare and submit these for you.
- An operating agreement and EIN to open a business bank account (included in our Gold and Platinum packages).
- Ongoing compliance — South Carolina's reports, taxes and registered agent rules (see below). We track the deadlines and remind you.
Operating agreement
An operating agreement sets out who owns the LLC, how profits are split, how decisions are made and what happens if a member leaves. South Carolina does not ask you to file it with the state, but banks usually want to see it, and without one the state's default rules apply. Incofile includes a customised operating agreement in the Gold and Platinum packages.
EIN (Employer Identification Number)
Your EIN is the federal tax ID for your LLC. You need it to open a business bank account, hire staff and file taxes. The IRS issues it free — online in minutes if you have a Social Security number, or by fax or mail (one to eight weeks) if you don't. Our Gold and Platinum packages include it, and it is also available as a separate service.
This is general information, not legal advice. If you're unsure which structure is right, compare LLC vs S-Corp vs C-Corp.
South Carolina LLC naming rules
The name must contain "limited liability company", "limited company", "L.L.C.", "LLC", "L.C." or "LC" and must be distinguishable from every entity on the South Carolina register. Check availability with our free business name search.
Keeping your South Carolina LLC compliant
Yearly filings
An LLC taxed as a sole proprietorship or partnership has no annual report to file with the Secretary of State. If your LLC elects to be taxed as a corporation (for example an S-Corp), it files an annual report and pays a license fee to the South Carolina Department of Revenue instead.
Registered agent
South Carolina requires a registered agent with a street address in the state. If you form from outside South Carolina, a professional agent such as Incofile is the simplest option.
Taxes
Owners pay South Carolina income tax on their share of profit. Under the 2026 tax law, income under $30,000 is taxed at 1.99%, with a top rate of 5.21% above that. Sellers of taxable goods register for sales tax with the SC Department of Revenue through MyDORWAY.
Licenses
There is no general state business license, but most cities and counties require a local business license, and regulated professions are licensed by the state.
Incofile clients get every South Carolina deadline tracked in their dashboard with email reminders — see registered agent service.
Official South Carolina resources
South Carolina LLC — frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC in South Carolina?
Incofile charges a flat, one-time formation fee (Silver, Gold or Platinum) plus the South Carolina state filing fee of $110. There are no monthly charges, and the total is shown before you pay.
How long does it take to form an LLC in South Carolina?
We prepare and submit your South Carolina Articles of Organization within one business day. State approval times vary from a few business days to a few weeks; expedited filing is available in many states.
Do I need a registered agent in South Carolina?
Yes. Every South Carolina LLC needs a registered agent with a street address in the state.
Can I start an LLC in South Carolina if I live in another state or country?
Yes. You do not need to live in South Carolina to form an LLC there. Incofile can act as your registered agent and provide a business address, so you can form and run your South Carolina LLC from anywhere.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in South Carolina?
The state fee for the Articles of Organization is $110.
Does a South Carolina LLC file an annual report?
Not if it is taxed the default way, as a sole proprietorship or partnership. An LLC that elects corporate tax treatment files an annual report with the SC Department of Revenue.
What is the South Carolina income tax rate in 2026?
From tax year 2026, income under $30,000 is taxed at 1.99%, and the top rate above that is 5.21%.
How much does a South Carolina LLC cost per year?
A standard South Carolina LLC has no annual report fee. Your yearly costs are usually a registered agent service if you use one and your local business license.
Helpful guides for your South Carolina LLC
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