South Carolina
LLC, Business License, Incorporation
With the 24th largest population in the United States, South Carolina services both large and small businesses. South Carolina's major industries include agriculture, textiles, and chemical products. Regardless of your industry, we can help you take advantage of South Carolina's business services.
Forming a corporation in South Carolina
Each state has its own set of rules for businesses seeking to form a corporation there. If you've decided to incorporate in South Carolina, incorporate.com will take care of all the details. We'll research the availability of your company name and help you prepare and file your Articles of Incorporation with the South Carolina Secretary of State. We can also assist with many of your follow-up needs such as amendment filings, written consents, and annual report preparation and filing.
Here are some helpful facts about South Carolina's incorporation requirements:
Corporate Name Requirements
South Carolina requires corporations to have names that can't be confused with any reserved or registered corporate name, fictitious name adopted by a foreign corporation, registered corporate nonprofit name or name of LP qualified in the state. When you incorporate with incorporate.com's help, we'll research your company name to make sure it meets South Carolina's standards.
Permitted designations: South Carolina corporate names may be followed by several approved designations, including:
- Co.
- Company
- Corp.
- Corporation
- Inc.
- Incorporated
- Limited
- Ltd.
Restricted designations: The use of certain words and phrases in corporate names is considered "restricted" in South Carolina, meaning they require special approval by the state. These include any derivatives of:
- Bank
- Engineer
- Engineering
- Insurance Company
Filing Requirements
Remember, when you work with incorporate.com, we'll take care of your incorporation filing for you. This information is presented only for your reference.
Required documents: The state of South Carolina requires businesses to file Articles of Incorporation signed by an attorney licensed to practice in South Carolina as well as an initial annual report.
Turnaround time: In general, turnaround time for incorporating a business in South Carolina is 10-15 business days.
Follow-up filings: Not required.
Officers/Directors Information
Minimum number: Corporations are required to have one or more directors.
Appearance in articles: Not required. Directors' names and addresses do not have to appear in the Articles of Incorporation.
Written consent: Permitted. Directors may act in writing in lieu of holding a meeting.
Annual Reports
Time to file: Corporations must file annual reports with the South Carolina Secretary of State on or before the 15th day of the third month following the end of the tax year.
Turnaround time: Turnaround time at the state is between 15 and 20 business days.
Signatures: Only authorized signatures can be used on annual reports. Emailed or faxed signatures are not accepted.
Filing extensions: Permitted, but extensions do not extend time for paying license fee.
Forming an LLC in South Carolina
Each state has its own set of requirements for businesses that plan on forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) there. If you decide to form an LLC in South Carolina, incorporate.com will take care of all the details. We'll research the availability of your company name and help you prepare and file your Articles of Organization with the South Carolina Secretary of State. We can also take care of many of your company?s follow-up needs, including annual report preparation and filing.
Here are some helpful facts about South Carolina's LLC requirements:
LLC Name Requirements
South Carolina requires Limited Liability Companies to have names that can't be confused with any corporation, LP, or company incorporated, organized or authorized to transact business in South Carolina, including fictitious names. When you form your LLC with incorporate.com's help, we'll research your company name to make sure it meets South Carolina's standards.
Permitted designations: South Carolina LLC names may be followed by several approved designations, including:
- L.C.
- L.L.C.
- LC
- LLC
- LTD. Liability Company
- Limited Company
- Limited Liability Co.
- Limited Liability Company
- Ltd. Liability Co.
Restricted words: The use of certain words in LLC names is "restricted" in South Carolina, meaning special approval by the state is required. These include any derivatives of:
- Bank
- Engineer
- Engineering
- Insurance Company
Filing Requirements
Required documents: Companies that wish to form an LLC in South Carolina must file Articles of Organization. Remember, when you work with incorporate.com, we'll take care of this filing for you.
Turnaround time: In general, turnaround time for forming an LLC in South Carolina is 10-15 business days.
Follow-up filing: Not required.
Managers/Members Information
Minimum number: LLCs are required to have one or more managers/members.
Principal Office Location
South Carolina permits an LLC's principal office to be located outside of the state. A designated office must be maintained in South Carolina.
Get South Carolina Business Licenses
Before your business can legally begin to operate, you must satisfy its license, permit, and tax registration requirements. Almost all state, county, and local governments require businesses to obtain one or more licenses and permits. Additionally, selling taxable goods and services or hiring employees requires that you register with tax authorities. All business license, permit, and tax registration requirements vary by your industry and location.
Examples of possible licenses required in South Carolina:
- Security License
- Rental Vehicle Company License
- Health License
Too busy to research your licensing requirements? We can help.
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Incorporate in any state, starting as low as
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