South Carolina is growing, and we're here to help your business comply with state requirements. While your needs and requirements may vary depending your industry, this page will help you get started!
For more information on why you should consider doing business in South Carolina, check out the SC Department of Commerce website.
- Headquartered elsewhere, registering in South Carolina:
- Start a new business filing with the SC Secretary of State to obtain a Certificate of Authority.
- After providing your business name and creating an account, you will confirm that your business is a "foreign entity" and proceed with applying for a Certificate of Authority.
- Start a new business filing with the SC Secretary of State to obtain a Certificate of Authority.
- Relocating your LLC, Corporation, or LLP to South Carolina:
- Start a new business filing with the SC Secretary of State to obtain a Certificate of Existence/Certificate of Good Standing.
- You will be required to type in your desired business name and create an account.
- Start a new business filing with the SC Secretary of State to obtain a Certificate of Existence/Certificate of Good Standing.
General tips:
- Read the Secretary of State's Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
- Research professional licenses required by the state from the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
- Review our New Business Page for general information about starting a business in South Carolina.
- Learn how to grow your business in the state, source locally developed materials, and more with the SC Department of Commerce.
- Verify their legal status using E-Verify within three days of employment.
- This includes completing the I-9 and verifying the employee's work authorization through the E-Verify federal work authorization program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
- Register for State Withholding using MyDORWAY.
- For more information, see the SC Department of Revenue website.
- Apply for your Employer ID number using the SC State Unemployment Insurance Tax System (SUITS).
- You'll use this to file unemployment insurance wage reports and pay unemployment insurance taxes.
- For more information, see the SC Department of Employment and Workforce website.
- Report all newly hired employees to the SC Department of Social Services within 20 days of employment.
- This process ensures that non-custodial parents live up to their financial responsibilities to their children.
Check out our Remote Workers page for more details!
If you conduct business in South Carolina and have sufficient economic nexus, you are required to file returns and pay any taxes due. The South Carolina Department of Revenue can impose its taxing jurisdiction if nexus is determined.
- If you're not sure whether you have nexus, complete the Nexus Questionnaire in MyDORWAY.
- You may receive a Nexus Questionnaire if the SCDOR identifies your company as potentially making sales or providing services to customers located in South Carolina.
- If you have sufficient income to establish nexus in South Carolina and haven't reported it, the SCDOR allows you to participate in a Voluntary Disclosure Program (VDA). This program allows unregistered taxpayers to come forward anonymously to meet their filing requirements, with a limited lookback period (36 months) and no penalties.