Form your company in South Carolina

Why form an LLC in South Carolina?

Form in South Carolina mainly if you live or physically operate there. For a remote or non-US founder there's little reason to pick SC over Wyoming or New Mexico.

A quick reminder from us: forming in a state where you do not actually operate usually means you still have to register (foreign-qualify) in your home state, often with little or no tax benefit. If you are unsure, tell us how you plan to operate and we will recommend the right fit — free.

Costs and fees

The South Carolina Secretary of State charges roughly $110 to file Articles of Organization, with an ongoing state cost of about None (default-taxed LLC). No LLC franchise tax and no annual report fee for default-taxed LLCs; SC personal income tax applies to SC-source income (top rate ~6.2%, phasing toward 6%). State fees are paid directly to the state and are separate from our service fee.

• Filing fee: $110 (approximate)
• Ongoing state cost: None (default-taxed LLC)
• Typical processing time: 1–2 days

Taxes and privacy

Personal state income tax in South Carolina: Yes. Owner privacy on the public record is generally rated medium.

Your federal tax obligations (and your EIN) are the same regardless of the state you choose — a single-member LLC is taxed as a pass-through by default, and we can obtain your EIN even if you do not have an SSN.

Pros of forming in South Carolina

• Moderate $110 filing fee for the Articles of Organization
• No annual report and no annual fee for standard, default-taxed LLCs — genuinely low ongoing cost
• No LLC franchise tax
• Online filing is fast — often same day to ~2 business days

Things to weigh

• South Carolina has a personal income tax (top rate ~6.2%, phasing toward 6%), so SC-source income is taxed
• Online filing adds a $15 electronic-access fee (~$125 total)
• No advantage for a non-resident who doesn't operate in SC — you'd still need a registered agent
• Owner privacy is only moderate; the registered agent is on the public record

Banking for your South Carolina LLC

A US business bank account is not tied to your formation state — an SC LLC can bank with Mercury, Wise, Relay, or a national bank like any other. Non-US founders still complete standard KYC (passport, EIN, ownership) regardless of state.

Whichever state you choose, we prepare the documents banks ask for and can obtain your EIN even without an SSN. Bank and provider approval is always their decision — we are not affiliated with any bank.

Is South Carolina right for you?

Best for: SC residents / SC operations. If you operate physically in South Carolina, forming here keeps things simple. If you are a remote or non-US founder without a specific reason to choose South Carolina, a low-cost, privacy-friendly state like Wyoming or New Mexico is often the better default.

Not sure? Start your application and we will confirm the best state for your situation before anything is filed.