What are the filing fees for South Carolina LLCs?

‍South Carolina keeps LLC costs refreshingly simple: $110 for your Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State, with no annual report requirements or franchise taxes to worry about afterward. This one-time fee gets yo ur LLC legally established, whether you file online through the state's portal or submit paper documents by mail.

Online filing is your fastest option, typically processing within 24-48 hours, while paper submissions take 5-7 business days plus mail transit time. Unlike many states, South Carolina doesn't offer expedited processing for an additional fee—online filing is already the fastest route available. The state's fee structure has remained stable for years, giving you predictable costs without surprise increases.

Current South Carolina LLC filing fees

South Carolina maintains a straightforward approach with transparent filing fees. The Secretary of State charges $110 for your Articles of Organization, whether filed online or by mail, and you won't face any ongoing state-level compliance fees unless you elect corporate taxation for your LLC.

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The $110 state filing fee creates your LLC's legal existence and remains consistent regardless of your filing method. This price stays the same whether you're forming a South Carolina LLC or registering an out-of-state company as a foreign LLC.

Your LLC remains in good standing without any annual state fees. There's no separate annual report to file with the Secretary of State, and no franchise tax obligation for LLCs—making South Carolina one of the most business-friendly states for ongoing compliance.

How do South Carolina's LLC filing fees compare to other states?

South Carolina's structure ($110 to file and $0 annually) positions it competitively against neighboring states and offers exceptional long-term value for business owners who want predictable costs.

Looking at neighboring states reveals South Carolina's advantages:

• North Carolina charges $125 to file but requires a $200 annual report, creating $2,125 in fees over ten years.
• Georgia starts lower at $100 but adds a $50 annual report, totaling $600 over a decade.
• Tennessee gets expensive quickly at $300 upfront plus $300 minimum franchise tax annually.
• Virginia matches the formation cost at $100 but takes $50 annually.

Nationally, South Carolina's combination of moderate formation costs and zero ongoing fees creates compelling value. Only a few other states, like Arizona, Missouri, New Mexico, and South Carolina, require no annual reports or franchise taxes for LLCs. This places South Carolina among the most business-friendly states for long-term entity management, particularly attractive for startups and small businesses managing cash flow.

Additional filing fees to consider for South Carolina LLCs

While South Carolina's $110 Articles of Organization covers your basic formation, several optional costs might arise during your LLC's lifecycle. Understanding these upfront helps you budget accurately for your first year and beyond.

• Name reservation costs $25 if you want to secure your LLC name for 120 days while finalizing your formation paperwork. This reservation cannot be renewed, so only reserve if you're certain about your timeline.
• Registered agent costs vary widely based on your approach. Being your own agent costs nothing if you have a reliable South Carolina street address during business hours. If privacy matters to you, commercial services typically charge $100–300 annually.
• Certified copies of formation documents or certificates of existence in South Carolina start at $10 each. Foreign LLCs need to pay the same $110 fee to register for a Certificate of Authority to operate in South Carolina.
• Local governments add another layer. Most cities and counties require business licenses, typically costing $30–100 or more, depending on your industry.
• EIN applications are always free directly through the IRS.

Let Discern handle your South Carolina LLC filings

Discern processes your South Carolina LLC filings efficiently and handles ongoing compliance management. No more tracking requirements or worrying about registered agent responsibilities.

Book a demo today and see how we handle compliance complexity with ease.