County Business License Quick Chart

A reference guide for county licensing FAQs. These are the nine SC counties that require business licenses. 

Click on the icon to be redirected to the county site link.

​	​Beaufort County	Charleston County​	Dorchester County	Horry County​	​Jasper County	​Marion County	Orangeburg County	Richland County​	​Sumter County
​Downloadable license application?	​					​	​
​Submit license application online?	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​Downloadable change of business address form?	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​Submit change of business address online?	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Downloadable renewal application available?​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Submit license renewal online?​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Renewal  Information​	​License Expire: Dec 31st	Due: Jan 31St	​License Year: Sept. 1st - Aug 31st	​License Year: May 1st - April 30th	​License Year: Jly 1st - April 30th	License Expire: October 31st	License Expire: Dec 31​st	License Year: Jan 1st - Dec 31st	​Mailed February Due: March 15th
​Downloadable business closing form online?	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Submit business closing form online?​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Contact Information​	​(843) 255-2270	​(843) 202-6080	(843) 832-0018​	(843) 915-5620​	​(843) 717-3657	(843) 423-8238 ext. 147​	(803) 533-6160​	​(803) 929-6000	​(803) 774-1601
**This chart is a starting point. For in depth county information, please contact the county office directly. Aiken and Greenville Counties require an application but no fee. Williamsburg County requires an application and a $15.00 Administrative Fee.

Need to register for a business license?

Via the South Carolina Department of Revenue, you may need to register for a retail sales tax license if the following applies to your business:

"Any person engaged in the business of selling tangible personal property at retail in this state is required to obtain a retail license. A separate retail license is required for each business location selling tangible personal property at retail.

The SCDOR can require an out-of-state retailer to purchase a retail license and collect the South Carolina use tax if the retailer:

• Has retail locations in South Carolina;
• Maintains an office, warehouse or other place of business in South Carolina;
• Has a salesperson in South Carolina soliciting orders on a regular basis;
• Has an agent located in South Carolina;
• Delivers his/her goods on his/her own trucks and advertises on a regular basis in South Carolina via South Carolina media;
  
  Or

Delivers their goods on their own trucks and advertises on a regular basis in South Carolina via media located outside of South Carolina that has extensive coverage in South Carolina.

NOTE: The above is based on the legal concept of Nexus - the minimal connection necessary between an out-of-state retailer and the state which allows the state to require the retailer to collect the use tax. What actually constitutes Nexus is determined by the courts and may change from time to time. You are advised to be aware of changes. 

 
A retail license is not required of the following individuals: