How Much Does an LLC Cost in South Carolina (Full Guide)
Starting an LLC in South Carolina costs $110 for the Articles of Organization filing fee, but your total startup costs will likely run higher once you factor in optional expenses like a registered agent, name reservation, and business licenses. As a business consultant who has helped over 40 clients structure and register LLCs across multiple states, I worked with South Carolina-based business advisors to map every cost you may encounter — mandatory and optional.
Quick Summary
- Forming your South Carolina LLC may come with other costs, including a registered agent service, business licenses and permits, filing for an EIN, a DBA, name reservation, and other documents.
- According to SBA data, 42.9% of South Carolina employees work for small businesses, highlighting the vital role of LLCs and similar entities within the state's economy.
- Through my experience, I learned that it’s important to hire a legal professional to ensure all LLC documents are legally binding.
Cost to Start an LLC in South Carolina
There are mandatory fees and optional costs when forming an LLC in South Carolina. These include the following:
1. LLC Formation Filing Fee ($110 - Mandatory)
An LLC in South Carolina costs $110. This fee is to register your LLC and file your Articles of Organization with the Department of State.
Between March 2023 and March 2024, South Carolina saw 20,541 new business establishments open, with small businesses accounting for 19,401 of those openings, according to the SBA Office of Advocacy [1].
You can file your South Carolina Articles of Organization in person, via mail, or online at the Business Entities Online website [2].
When I wanted to file using the expedited service, I learned that the state doesn’t offer one, which was fine since online submissions are processed within 24 hours.
2. Registered Agent Service Fee ($80-$300 – Optional)
South Carolina law requires you to choose a registered agent when filing for your South Carolina LLC. It costs $80 to $300 to employ the services of one.
To remain compliant with state laws, I advise my clients to hire a registered agent since they receive service of process on behalf of the company.
3. Name Reservation Fee ($25 - Optional)
To reserve a business name for your LLC in South Carolina, you must submit an application and a $25 fee payable through the Secretary of State. Your reservation lasts for 120 days.
Name reservation prevents any other LLC in South Carolina from using your company name before you register it.
Before reserving a name, I ensure that the LLC name complies with state naming guidelines. I look up a South Carolina LLC if it is available using the Business Name Search [3].
Expenses Following the Approval of Your LLC
Once the limited liability company has been approved and is legally operating in the state, you may need to pay for additional documents.
1. Business License (Depending on the Line of Business - Mandatory)
South Carolina doesn't have a statewide business license for LLCs; however, each municipality controls its own business licenses and registrations. The cost will vary depending on where your LLC does business.
Interestingly, 863,326 small business employees make up 42.9 percent of all employees in South Carolina, according to the SBA, highlighting the critical role small businesses, including LLCs, play in the state's economy.
I navigated the South Carolina Business One Stop, since it has a listing of the requirements for each locality concerning business licenses [4].
2. Annual Report Fee ($0)
Unlike most states, a South Carolina business doesn't need to pay an annual report fee. Only an LLC taxed as an S-corporation must pay the fee [5].
"If your LLC opts for taxation as a C-corp or S-corp, remember to submit the Initial Annual Report of Corporations (Form CL-1) and remit a $25 fee within the first 60 days after your LLC's formation."
- Jon Morgan, Co-Founder & Chief Editor of Venture Smarter
3. Operating Agreement (Optional but Recommended)
South Carolina doesn't require an operating agreement, but it is a good idea for your business to have one. An operating agreement is a statement that establishes how your LLC will be run, profit distribution, and voting requirements, to name a few.
The cost of an operating agreement can vary depending on whether you do it yourself ($0) or pay an attorney to draft one up.
A client of mine opted to use an online template from a reputable LLC formation service. The costs range from $100 to $200.
4. DBA Name ($10 - Optional)
A DBA name costs $10 in South Carolina. If you are considering doing business under any name other than your legal business name, register a Doing Business As Name.
Unlike most states, DBAs aren't registered with the South Carolina Secretary of State but are registered in the county where the business is.
5. Certified Copies ($3 + $0.50 per additional page - optional)
You can order certified copies for $3 plus $.50 per additional page. This includes South Carolina LLC, including your Articles of Organization, LLC owner's information, and more.
I keep a copy of these documents for protection against potential legal issues.
Certified copies can be ordered online, by phone, or in person at the South Carolina Secretary of State [6].
6. Certificate Of Existence ($10 - Optional)
For an LLC in South Carolina, a certificate of existence is the same as a certificate of good standing. You can order a certificate of existence for $10.
I advise clients to obtain this document since a South Carolina business is required to provide a Certificate of Existence if creating a business bank account or registering as a foreign LLC in another state.
7. Employer Identification Number ($0 - Optional, but Recommended)
An employer identification number (EIN) costs $0 to file and can be done online, via mail, or by phone through the Internal Revenue Service.
The IRS employer identification number can be used to get a business bank account and is necessary if you have employees.
Related articles:
- How to Dissolve an LLC in South Carolina
- LLC Processing Time in South Carolina
- How to Rename an LLC in South Carolina
Are South Carolina LLC Formation Costs Tax Deductible?
Most of what you spend to form your South Carolina LLC can be written off.
Under IRS Section 195, you can deduct up to $5,000 in startup costs in your first year of operation - including your $110 filing fee, registered agent fees, and attorney costs for an operating agreement - as long as total startup costs stay under $50,000 [7].
Costs above that threshold are amortized over 15 years. You must elect this deduction on your first-year tax return; it doesn't apply automatically [8].
FAQs
How Much Is A Business Bank Account In South Carolina?
The cost of a business bank account in South Carolina varies. Some banks can charge monthly fees ranging from $10 to $50, while others don't charge monthly fees or offer incentives instead of monthly fees.
How Much Does South Carolina Tax An LLC?
South Carolina doesn't charge LLCs any corporate tax. LLC members individually need to pay state and federal income on earnings from the LLC.
References:
- https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/South_Carolina_2025-State-Profile.pdf
- https://businessfilings.sc.gov/businessfiling
- https://businessfilings.sc.gov/BusinessFiling/Entity/Search
- https://scbos.sc.gov/county-resources
- https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t12c020.php
- https://sos.sc.gov/online-filings/business-entities/document-request-online
- https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF12970
- https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/195
