Form an LLC in South Carolina — or skip the wait entirely

South Carolina is business-friendly with a $110 filing fee and no annual report for most LLCs. BMW's largest plant in the world sits in Spartanburg, Boeing builds the 787 in Charleston, and the tech scene in Greenville keeps growing. Cost of living is well below the national average, and the Port of Charleston is one of the busiest on the East Coast.

The catch for many founders is the income tax of up to 6.5%, which makes South Carolina less attractive than zero-tax states for owners with no in-state operations. The upside: with no annual report for most LLCs, the ongoing state cost is effectively $0/year. So the real question isn't "is South Carolina good?" — it's "do I need to form from scratch here, or can I be trading this afternoon?"

State fees are sourced from the South Carolina Secretary of State.

Step 1 — Choose your LLC name

Your name must be distinguishable from existing entities and include "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company." Check availability on the South Carolina business search. You can reserve a name for 120 days for $25.

Step 2 — Appoint a registered agent

Every South Carolina LLC needs a registered agent with a physical South Carolina address (not a PO Box). USLLCGlobal includes one year of registered agent service in all packages.

Step 3 — File Articles of Organization

File with the South Carolina Secretary of State through the South Carolina filing portal or by mail. Required information:

• LLC name with designator
• Registered agent name and address
• LLC mailing address
• Organizer name and address
• Member-managed or manager-managed
• $110 filing fee

Step 4 — Create an Operating Agreement

Not legally required in South Carolina but essential. It defines ownership, profit distribution, management, and exit provisions. Banks and the IRS expect to see it.

Step 5 — Obtain an EIN

Your federal tax ID from the IRS, required for bank accounts, hiring, and taxes. Non-residents can apply via Form SS-4 (4–6 weeks). USLLCGlobal handles EIN applications in every package. Note: a ready-made Wyoming LLC already has its EIN — which is exactly why it can bank same-day.

Step 6 — Open a US bank account

With your Articles of Organization, EIN, and Operating Agreement, open a US business account. Mercury, Relay, and Wise Business allow remote opening for non-residents.

What you need each year to keep a South Carolina LLC in good standing:

1. No annual report: most SC LLCs do not file. Only S-Corp-taxed LLCs must.
2. Federal tax filing: Form 5472 for non-US owners — $25,000 penalty for non-filing.
3. SC state tax: up to 6.5%.
4. Registered agent: maintain a physical SC address.
5. FinCEN BOI Report: file within 30 days.

South Carolina taxes for LLCs

Processing times

Every South Carolina package includes:

• Articles of Organization filing with the South Carolina Secretary of State
• One year registered agent service
• Custom Operating Agreement
• EIN application
• Banking introduction letter
• Digital delivery within 24 hours of approval
• Compliance calendar
• Dedicated support via our contact desk

No hidden fees. No upsells. The price listed is the price you pay. Prefer to skip the formation wait entirely? Browse ready-made companies that already have an EIN.