Form Your South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation
Launch your mission in the Palmetto State with a low $25 incorporation fee, no annual report, and a clear path to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
Filed in South Carolina
The Palmetto State · SC
- State filing fee$25
- Processing time1-2 business days online (+$7.50 online processing fee); ~3 days by mail
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$0 (no SoS annual report) — due Not required; IRS Form 990 filed yearly
- State tax rate5% flat corporate income tax
Form your South Carolina Nonprofit — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your South Carolina Nonprofit
Free formation means you pay only the $25 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Incorporation - Nonprofit Corporation filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Incorporation - Nonprofit Corporation 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.
Bylaws
Professionally drafted bylaws — defines ownership, voting, and profit splits.
Benefits of forming an Nonprofit in South Carolina
South Carolina pairs one of the South's lowest nonprofit incorporation fees ($25) with no Secretary of State annual report, making ongoing compliance simple for mission-driven organizations. With fast 1-2 business day online filing and a growing base of community foundations and grant-makers across the Palmetto State, it is an accessible home for new charities, churches, and educational nonprofits pursuing 501(c)(3) status.
501(c)(3) eligibility for federal tax-exempt status
Tax-deductible donations attract grants and donors
No South Carolina Secretary of State annual report requirement
Limited liability protection for directors and officers
Low $25 state incorporation fee, among the most affordable in the South
Fast 1-2 business day online filing through the SC Secretary of State
Perpetual existence independent of any founder or board member
Access to grants, public funding, and bulk-mail nonprofit postage rates
Key features of a South Carolina Nonprofit
- No Secretary of State annual report requirement
- Low $25 state incorporation fee
- Fast 1-2 business day online filing
- Minimum of three directors required
- Path to 501(c)(3) federal tax exemption and tax-deductible donations
Major industries in South Carolina
Form your South Carolina Nonprofit in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes 1-2 business days online (+$7.50 online processing fee); ~3 days by mail.
- 01
Choose and Reserve Your Nonprofit Name
Pick a unique name and verify availability through the South Carolina Secretary of State's business search. A name reservation is available for $25 and holds the name for 120 days while you prepare your filing.
- 02
Recruit Your Board of Directors
South Carolina requires a minimum of three directors for a nonprofit corporation. For 501(c)(3) eligibility the IRS expects a majority of unrelated directors to demonstrate independent governance.
- 03
Appoint a Registered Agent and File Articles of Incorporation
Appoint a registered agent with a physical South Carolina address, then file the nonprofit Articles of Incorporation with the SC Secretary of State. The state fee is $25, plus a $7.50 online processing fee; online filing typically clears in 1-2 business days.
- 04
Adopt Bylaws and a Conflict-of-Interest Policy
Hold an organizational meeting to adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy. The IRS reviews both when evaluating 501(c)(3) applications, so they are effectively required even though the state does not file them.
- 05
Obtain an EIN and Apply for 501(c)(3) Status
Get a free EIN from the IRS, then apply for federal tax exemption: Form 1023-EZ ($275 user fee, for organizations expecting gross receipts under $50,000 and assets under $250,000) or the full Form 1023 ($600). IRS review runs roughly 2-4 weeks for 1023-EZ or 3-6 months for the full 1023.
- 06
Register for State Tax Exemption and Charitable Solicitation
After IRS approval, apply for South Carolina tax exemptions with the SC Department of Revenue and register for charitable solicitation with the SC Secretary of State before fundraising. These are separate from the federal 501(c)(3) step.
South Carolina Nonprofit costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
South Carolina Nonprofit requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a South Carolina Nonprofit in 2026.
- File nonprofit Articles of Incorporation with the SC Secretary of State ($25 + $7.50 online fee)
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical South Carolina address
- Recruit a board of at least three directors
- Adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS
- Apply for 501(c)(3) status via IRS Form 1023-EZ ($275) or Form 1023 ($600)
- Register for SC charitable solicitation and state tax exemption
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Incorporation - Nonprofit Corporation
- Filing agency
- South Carolina Secretary of State
- Registered agent
- Required
- Bylaws
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $25 (120 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $25 South Carolina state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, bylaws, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Incorporation - Nonprofit Corporation 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)
- Bylaws
- 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 Nonprofit questions, answered
Common questions about forming an Nonprofit in South Carolina. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form a nonprofit corporation in South Carolina?
The state filing fee is $25, plus a $7.50 online processing fee when you file electronically. There is no Secretary of State annual report, so ongoing state costs are minimal. Applying for federal 501(c)(3) status is separate and costs $275 (Form 1023-EZ) or $600 (full Form 1023).
How long does it take to incorporate a nonprofit in South Carolina?
Online filings with the South Carolina Secretary of State are typically processed in 1-2 business days. Mail filings take about 3 days. The separate IRS 501(c)(3) review adds roughly 2-4 weeks for Form 1023-EZ or 3-6 months for the full Form 1023.
How many directors does a South Carolina nonprofit need?
South Carolina requires a minimum of three directors. For 501(c)(3) approval, the IRS prefers a majority of directors who are unrelated by blood, marriage, or business ties to demonstrate independent governance.
Does South Carolina require nonprofits to file an annual report?
No. South Carolina does not require a Secretary of State annual report for nonprofit corporations. However, tax-exempt nonprofits must still file IRS Form 990 each year, and registered charities renew their charitable solicitation registration annually.
What is the difference between state incorporation and 501(c)(3) status?
Filing Articles of Incorporation with the SC Secretary of State creates your nonprofit corporation at the state level. Becoming tax-exempt is a separate federal step: you apply to the IRS for 501(c)(3) status using Form 1023-EZ or Form 1023, which lets the organization receive tax-deductible donations.
Does my South Carolina nonprofit owe state corporate income tax?
South Carolina has a flat 5% corporate income tax and a 6% sales tax, but a nonprofit with approved 501(c)(3) status can apply to the SC Department of Revenue for income and sales tax exemptions. The exemption is not automatic and must be requested separately from the IRS approval.
Do I need to register before fundraising in South Carolina?
Yes. Most charities soliciting donations in South Carolina must register for charitable solicitation with the SC Secretary of State and renew annually. This is separate from both your incorporation and your federal 501(c)(3) application.
Does my South Carolina nonprofit have to file a BOI report with FinCEN?
No. Under FinCEN's March 2025 interim final rule, domestic US entities and US persons are exempt from Beneficial Ownership Information reporting. Only foreign-formed entities registered to do business in a US state are still required to file.
South Carolina government filing resources
Filing fees for common Nonprofit 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.
Foreign nonprofit corporation Certificate of Authority = $10 (much lower than the $110 for-profit fee).
Learn more$50 non-refundable Retail License fee per retail location, confirmed on the SCDOR licensing page.
Learn moreDomestic nonprofit Articles of Amendment = $10 (vs $110 for LLC/for-profit corp).
Learn moreState filing fee is $10.00 (Form F0099/F0100), payable to the SC Secretary of State when the corporation files the change.
Learn moreState reinstatement filing fee is $25.00 (Form F0118), payable to the SC Secretary of State.
Learn moreEverything you need to run your South Carolina Nonprofit
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Ready to form your South Carolina Nonprofit?
Formation is free — you pay only the $25 South Carolina state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in 1-2 business days online (+$7.50 online processing fee); ~3 days by mail.
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