South Carolina · SC
South Carolina LLC Formation Cost 2026
Filing fee $110 · Annual no report · Privacy 6/10 · Banking 7/10
The numbers
| Initial state filing fee | $110 |
|---|---|
| Annual report (none) | Not required |
| Franchise / privilege tax | None for LLCs |
| State personal income tax (top) | 6.2% |
| State corporate income tax (top) | 5% |
| Publication required? | No |
| Standard processing time | 5 business days |
| Privacy score | 6/10 |
| Banking accessibility | 7/10 |
| 5-year total cost | $360 |
Why people choose South Carolina
- No annual report
Trade-offs to know
- Mid filing fee
Who South Carolina is best for
- Local SC businesses
No annual filing requirement for pass-through LLCs.
- South Carolina Secretary of State / business division
- Fees last verified against the source: 2026-05-15
South Carolina vs the alternatives
| State | Filing | Recurring | State tax | Privacy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | $110 | $0/yr | 6.2% | 6/10 |
| Wyoming | $100 | $62/yr | 0% | 9/10 |
| Delaware | $110 | $300/yr | 6.6% | 7/10 |
How to form an LLC in South Carolina (general steps)
- Choose a unique name ending in "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company". Check name availability with the South Carolina Secretary of State.
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical South Carolina address.
- File Articles of Organization ($110) with the South Carolina Secretary of State.
- Draft an Operating Agreement — most states do not require filing but strongly recommend having one.
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS (free online with SSN/ITIN).
- File the FinCEN BOI report within 90 days of formation (federal requirement).
Other commonly compared states
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in South Carolina?
The state filing fee is $110. South Carolina has no annual report requirement. Plus a registered agent (typically $25-$150/year).
Does South Carolina have a state income tax on LLCs?
South Carolina's top personal income tax rate is 6.2%. Pass-through LLC profits flow to your personal return at this rate.
What is the annual cost of maintaining a South Carolina LLC?
Excluding the first-year filing fee, the recurring cost is $50 (annual report + franchise minimum + $50 registered agent baseline). Five-year total ≈ $360.
Can a non-resident form an LLC in South Carolina?
Yes. Non-US residents can form an LLC in any state. However, banking, payment processing, and EIN acquisition vary in difficulty. South Carolina has moderate banking accessibility (7/10). See our non-resident guide for the full process.
Is South Carolina a good state for an anonymous LLC?
South Carolina's privacy score is 6/10. Some member or manager information appears on public filings. For maximum privacy, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Nevada are common choices.
Deep-dive South Carolina guides
Interactive cost calculator for South Carolina
LLC Cost Calculator
Estimate the real cost of forming and maintaining an LLC across 51 US jurisdictions. Includes state filing, registered agent, annual report, franchise tax, and (where applicable) publication.
Year 1 breakdown — South Carolina
| State filing fee | $110 |
| Registered agent (yr 1) | $50 |
| Annual report fee | $0 |
| Franchise / privilege tax (minimum) | $0 |
| Year 1 total | $160 |
| Recurring (yr 2+) | $50/yr |
Avg. $72 / year — compares to 5-yr baseline $360.
What this calculator does NOT include
- Federal BOI report (free, but mandatory)
- EIN application (free with SSN/ITIN; some services charge $50-$300)
- Operating Agreement drafting
- State-level business licenses (industry-specific)
- Local city/county fees (varies by municipality)
- Foreign LLC registration if operating outside formation state
- Federal and state income tax on profits
Educational estimate only. Not legal or tax advice. Verify with a licensed CPA or attorney before filing.