South Carolina Business License
General Business License Requirements for South Carolina.
Business licenses are often required of business entities, regardless of their products and services. This page provides an overview of business license requirements in South Carolina.
South Carolina General Business Licenses
South Carolina Business License
Not required
General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in South Carolina.
South Carolina does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.
Local General Business Licenses
Beaufort Business License
| Agency: | City of Beaufort Finance Department - The Business License Office |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Due: | The initial business license is valid from the time it begins operations through Dec. 31. Every year thereafter, the license requires annual renewal. |
Registration Renewal
| Agency Fee: | The required business license tax shall be paid for each business subject hereto according to the applicable rate classification on or before the due date of the 30th day of April in each year. The business license tax must be computed based on the licensee's gross income for the calendar year preceding the due date, for the licensee's twelve-month fiscal year preceding the due date, or on a twelve-month projected income based on the monthly average for a business in operation for less than one (1) year 1st renewal of license: 40% of applicable tax 2nd renewal of license: 60% of applicable tax 3rd and the subsequent renewal of license: 100% of applicable tax |
| Due: | The business license is valid from the time it begins operations through Dec. 31. Every year thereafter, the license requires annual renewal. |
Cheraw Business License
| Agency: | Town of Cheraw Town Clerk-Treasurer (SC) |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees are based on gross receipts. |
Registration Renewal
| Agency Fee: | Fees are based on gross receipts. |
| Due: | Annually by April 30. |
| Notes: | Renewal forms are sent to licensees prior to the expiration date. |
City of Aiken Business License
| Agency: | City of Aiken Business Licensing Office (SC) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: |
Registration Renewal
| Agency Fee: | |
| Due: | Annually by April 30. |
| Notes: | Renewal notices are sent in the mail roughly 2 months prior to the renewal date. |
City of Cayce Business License
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Varies |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Varies |
| Due: | Annually on January 1. |
City of Charleston Business License
| Agency: | City of Charleston Budget, Finance, and Revue Collections Department - Revenue Collections Division (SC) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Business license fees are based on the type of business and the projected gross income of the business for the balance of the calendar year. |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online |
| Agency Fee: | Business license fees are based on the type of business and the projected gross income of the business for the balance of the calendar year. |
| Due: | Annually by April 30. |
City of Greenville Business License
| Agency: | City of Greenville Business License - Revenue and Business License Division (SC) |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | A base rate fee is required per business type + estimated total gross sales/revenue/contracts for the balance of the year. |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fee based on actual gross receipts/revenue/contracts for prior year ending December 31. |
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
City of Hardeevilee Business License
| Agency: | City of Hardeeville Finance Department - Business License Coordinator (SC) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail. |
| Agency Fee: | Fee determined by estimated gross income + class type (see caluclation worksheet) + 3% convienience fee if paid online. |
| Law: | |
| Required Attachments: |
|
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail. |
| Agency Fee: | Fees determined by gross income of following year + class type (see calucation worksheet) + 3% convience fee if paid online. |
| Due: | Annually by April 30. |
| Law: |
City of North Charleston Business License
| Agency: | North Charleston City Hall (SC) |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fee for a new business are computed on the estimated probable gross income for the balance of the license year. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fee for a new business are computed on the estimated probable gross income for the balance of the license year. |
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
City of Spartanburg Business License
| Agency: | City of Spartanburg Business Licensing (SC) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees vary. See the Business License Rate Schedule for details. |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees vary. See the Business License Rate Schedule for details. |
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
Columbia Business License
| Agency: | City of Columbia Business License Division (SC) |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees are based on projected gross income from the start of business date through December 31st of that year. |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | The Business License Division mails renewal forms at the beginning of the year in January. |
| Agency Fee: | Renewal fees are based on the previous year's gross income reported to the Internal Revenue Service. |
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
Florence Business License
| Agency: | City of Florence Business License Office (SC) |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mailed or faxed. |
| Agency Fee: | Fees are based on estimates of gross receipts for the first year. |
Registration Renewal
| Agency Fee: | A renewal license fee based on gross income shall be computed on the gross income for the preceding fiscal year, and on a twelve-month projected income, based on the monthly average for a business in operation at the time of renewal for less than one (1) year. |
| Due: | Annually by June 30. |
Hilton Head Island Business License
| Agency: | Town of Hilton Head Island Revenue Services (SC) |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $10.00 application fee + Business License Tax (based on projected gross revenue for the first year of operation) |
| Due: | Annually by April 30. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | Businesses are required to pay an annual business licenese tax. Business License tax is calculated on your gross revenue reported on your prior year's Federal Income tax return. |
| Due: | Each yearly license shall be issued for a twelve-month period of May 1 - April 30. Renewals are due by April 30th of each year. |
Horry County Business License
| Agency: | Horry County Business License Department (SC) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fee determined by busines type. |
| Before you Apply: | Zoning approval is required prior to the issuance of the business license. Please contact the Horry County Planning and Zoning Department at 843-915-5340 to determine whether or not the use is in compliance with the zoning regulations and to obtain the required approval document prior to submitting the business license application. If the application is not received prior to the start date of the business a 10% monthly penalty will apply with a cap of 30%. |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fee determined by business type. |
| Due: | Annually by April 30. |
Lexington Business License
| Agency: | Town of Lexington Business Licensing (SC) |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Email (slee@lexsc.com) or fax (803-358-1552). |
| Agency Fee: | Business type fee (NAICS code)+ $20.00 zoning fee. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | Emailed or faxed. |
| Agency Fee: | Determined by the type of business (NAICS code). |
| Due: | Annually by April 30. |
| Law: |
Mount Pleasant Business License
| Agency: | Town of Mount Pleasant Business License Division (SC) |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fee is determined by business activity and estimated gross receipts figure. |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fee is determined by business activity and gross receipts figure. |
| Due: | Annually by July 31. |
Myrtle Beach Business License
| Agency: | City of Myrtle Beach Business License Division (SC) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | In person or mail |
| Agency Fee: | Determined by gross reciepts. |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Determined by gross reciepts |
| Due: | Annually by April 30. |
Richland County Business License
| Agency: | Richland County Business Service Center (SC) |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fee is determined by the projected gross revenue through end of the calendar year. Additional fees specific to business type is listed on the application. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fee is based on gross revenue. |
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
Rock Hill Business License
| Agency: | City of Rock Hill Planning and Development Department(SC) |
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | New businesses pay license fees on projected gross income from the start of business date through December 31 of that year. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Renewal fees are based on the previous year?s gross income reported to the Internal Revenue Service. |
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
Sumter Business License
| Agency: | City of Sumter Business License Department (SC) |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Instructions: | You must complete an Application and a New Clearance Form which is sent to the planning department for approval from the Zoning Department, Building Inspections Department, and the Fire Department. |
| Filing Method: | Mail. |
| Agency Fee: | Based on the estimated probable gross income stated in the license application for the balance of the license year. |
Registration Renewal
| Agency Fee: | Based on gross total income for year. |
| Due: | The City renewals are mailed in January and due by the 15th of February. The County renewals are mailed in February and due by the 15th of March. |
| Penalties: | 5% per month beginning February 16th (City) and March 16th (county). |
Surfside Beach Business License
| Agency: | Town of Surfside Beach Business License Office (SC) |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | The license fee for a new business is based upon an estimation of gross receipts from the first day of operation until May 31. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | Renewals are mailed on April 5th and due by June 1st. |
| Agency Fee: | The reporting period for renewals is based upon the preceding calendar or fiscal year as reported on your federal tax return |
| Due: | Annually June 1. |
Williamston Business License
| Agency: | Town of Williamston Clerk/Treasurer's Office (SC) |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail. |
| Agency Fee: | The fee for a new business shall be computed on the estimated probable gross income stated in the license application for the balance of the license year. |
Registration Renewal
| Agency Fee: | Inside Businesses: Pay $65.00 for the first $2,000.00 and then $0.65 for each $1,000.00 after + $82.49 Solid Waste Fee. Outside Businesses: Pay $97.50 for the first $2,000.00 and then $0.98 for each $1,000.00 after |
| Due: | Annually by March 1. |
Learn about general business licensing requirements in other states:
