Form a South Carolina LLC with StartGlobal
$399 state fee included
EIN, operating agreement and first-year agent service included. Nothing else to buy.
South Carolina LLC costs at a glance
| Cost | When | Applies in South Carolina | With StartGlobal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization filing fee | Once, to form | Yes | Included in $399 |
| Registered agent | Every year | Yes, or be your own | Year one included, then $99/yr |
| Annual report | Not required | No | Nothing to file |
| State tax or yearly charge | See below | Yes, see below | Paid to the state |
| EIN | Once | For a bank account or staff | Included in $399 |
| Operating agreement | Once | Recommended | Included in $399 |
| Local business licences | Varies | Depends on city, county and trade | Paid to the issuer |
Forming the LLC
South Carolina LLCs are formed by filing a Articles of Organization with the South Carolina Secretary of State, which accepts filings online. The state charges a one-time fee to accept it; the fee is the same whether you file yourself or use a service, and StartGlobal includes it in the $399.
Keeping it active
South Carolina does not require LLCs to file an annual report.
An LLC taxed as a corporation files a CL-1 Initial Annual Report with the SC Department of Revenue and is subject to the corporate license fee with its annual corporate return; LLCs taxed as partnerships or disregarded entities are not.
You also need a registered agent in South Carolina every year. Ours is included for the first year and $99 a year after; you can act as your own if you have a South Carolina address and are there in business hours.
- South Carolina LLCs file no annual report with the Secretary of State; only LLCs taxed as corporations have annual report duties, and those go to the Department of Revenue.
- The Secretary of State can administratively dissolve an LLC that does not pay a required fee, tax or penalty within 60 days after it is due; reinstatement must be sought within two years.
What a "$0" South Carolina LLC costs over three years
Formation, a registered agent every year and an EIN, at each provider's published prices. The South Carolina filing fee is added on top of theirs and included in ours.
| Three years | |
|---|---|
| ZenBusiness Starter Registered agent is a $199/yr add-on from day one. | $696 + South Carolina filing fee |
| LegalZoom Basic Registered agent is $249/yr. | $826 + South Carolina filing fee |
| Bizee Basic Registered agent free for year one, then $149/yr. | $368 + South Carolina filing fee |
| StartGlobal State fee, first-year agent and EIN included. Agent $99/yr after. | $597, all in |
Over three years our price is lower than ZenBusiness or LegalZoom in every state. Bizee's first agent year is free, which can make it cheaper depending on the state fee. Filing yourself costs only the state fee.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does an LLC cost in South Carolina?
South Carolina charges a one-time fee to file the Articles of Organization. With StartGlobal the total is $399 with that fee included, plus your EIN, operating agreement and first-year registered agent service. After that: South Carolina does not require LLCs to file an annual report.
What are the yearly costs of a South Carolina LLC?
South Carolina does not require LLCs to file an annual report. An LLC taxed as a corporation files a CL-1 Initial Annual Report with the SC Department of Revenue and is subject to the corporate license fee with its annual corporate return; LLCs taxed as partnerships or disregarded entities are not. You also need a registered agent in South Carolina every year, unless you act as your own.
Is there a cheaper way to form a South Carolina LLC?
Yes: file the Articles of Organization yourself with the South Carolina Secretary of State, act as your own registered agent and get your EIN from the IRS for free. It costs only the state fee and your time.
Does a $0 LLC service cost nothing in South Carolina?
No. The South Carolina filing fee is charged on top of a "$0" formation, and registered agent service and the EIN are usually add-ons. Over three years our $399 all-in is lower than ZenBusiness or LegalZoom at their published prices.
