Form Your South Carolina LLC
Launch your business in the Palmetto State with no annual reports, a low 5% tax rate, and a booming manufacturing and logistics sector
Filed in South Carolina
The Palmetto State · SC
- State filing fee$110
- Processing time1-2 business days online; ~3 days by mail
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$0 (no annual report required) — due No annual report required
- State tax rate5% flat corporate income tax
Form your South Carolina LLC — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your South Carolina LLC
Free formation means you pay only the $110 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Organization filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Organization to the South Carolina Secretary of State.
Registered agent
Required in South Carolina — we act as your agent for the first year.
EIN from the IRS
Your federal Tax ID — required to open a US business bank account and file taxes.
Operating agreement
Professionally drafted operating agreement — defines ownership, voting, and profit splits.
Benefits of forming an LLC in South Carolina
South Carolina has attracted major manufacturers like BMW, Volvo, and Boeing with its business-friendly climate, low taxes, and no annual report requirement. The Port of Charleston is one of the fastest-growing in the nation, and the state offers a high quality of life at low cost.
No annual report requirement
Low flat 5% corporate income tax
No franchise tax for LLCs
Growing manufacturing and automotive sector (BMW, Volvo, Boeing)
Low cost of living and business-friendly environment
Coastal access with the Port of Charleston
Key features of a South Carolina LLC
- No annual report requirement
- Low 5% flat corporate income tax
- No franchise tax
- Major manufacturing hub (BMW, Volvo, Boeing)
Major industries in South Carolina
Form your South Carolina LLC in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes 1-2 business days online; ~3 days by mail.
- 01
Choose Your LLC Name
Your name must include 'Limited Liability Company,' 'LLC,' or 'L.L.C.' Check availability through the South Carolina Secretary of State's business search.
- 02
Appoint a Registered Agent
South Carolina requires a registered agent with a physical address in the state to accept legal documents on behalf of your LLC.
- 03
File Articles of Organization
Submit your Articles of Organization to the South Carolina Secretary of State. The filing fee is $110. Online filing is available.
- 04
Create an Operating Agreement
South Carolina does not require an Operating Agreement, but having one is strongly recommended.
- 05
Obtain an EIN
Apply for a free EIN from the IRS for tax filing, banking, and hiring employees.
- 06
Register for State Taxes
Register with the South Carolina Department of Revenue for applicable taxes. The state has a flat 5% corporate income tax.
South Carolina LLC costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
South Carolina LLC requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a South Carolina LLC in 2026.
- File Articles of Organization with SC Secretary of State ($110)
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical SC address
- Create an Operating Agreement (recommended)
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS
- No annual report required
- Register for state taxes
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Organization
- Filing agency
- South Carolina Secretary of State
- Registered agent
- Required
- Operating agreement
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $25 (120 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $110 South Carolina state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, operating agreement, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Organization filing
- Name availability check
- Digital document delivery
- Formation status tracking
Booster
- Everything in Starter
- Registered agent (required in South Carolina)
- EIN / Federal Tax ID
- Expedited processing (1–2 days)
- Operating agreement
- Priority support
- Kicker Voice — 3-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 15 days
Founder
- Everything in Booster
- Business mailing address
- Bookkeeping — 3 months free
- Dedicated account manager
- Rush processing
- Kicker Voice — 6-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 30 days
Kicker
- Everything in Founder
- ITIN filing & preparation
- Same-day priority processing
- 2nd year annual filing $0
- Kicker Voice 12-day + Kicker Pay 60 days free
Compare all plans on our pricing page.
South Carolina LLC questions, answered
Common questions about forming an LLC in South Carolina. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in South Carolina?
The state filing fee is $110. There is no annual report requirement. Our service fee starts at $100 plus the state fee.
Does South Carolina require annual reports?
No! South Carolina does not require LLCs to file annual reports, making it one of the simplest states for ongoing compliance.
What is South Carolina's corporate tax rate?
South Carolina has a flat 5% corporate income tax rate. Single-member LLCs are typically taxed as pass-through entities.
Why are manufacturers choosing South Carolina?
Major manufacturers like BMW, Volvo, and Boeing chose South Carolina for its low taxes, business incentives, skilled workforce, port access, and right-to-work status.
Can I form a South Carolina LLC online?
Yes, you can file online through the South Carolina Secretary of State's website.
What about the Port of Charleston?
The Port of Charleston is one of the fastest-growing ports in the US, making South Carolina attractive for import/export, logistics, and distribution businesses.
South Carolina government filing resources
Filing fees for common LLC services
Official South Carolina state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
$10 flat, same across LLC, corporation, and nonprofit.
Flat $10 set by statute, same for LLC, corporation, and nonprofit.
Learn more$3.00 for the first page plus $0.50 for each additional page.
$5.00 per document.
$50 non-refundable Retail License fee per retail location, confirmed on the SCDOR licensing page.
Learn moreDomestic LLC Articles of Amendment (e.g., name/address change) = $110.
Learn moreState filing fee is $10.00 (Form F0086), payable to the SC Secretary of State when filed by mail or in person.
Learn moreState reinstatement filing fee is $25.00 (Form F0048), payable to the SC Secretary of State.
Learn moreEverything you need to run your South Carolina LLC
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Ready to form your South Carolina LLC?
Formation is free — you pay only the $110 South Carolina state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in 1-2 business days online; ~3 days by mail.
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