Pluff Open in Charleston: a practical guide to starting a business in South Carolina

Opening a business in Charleston

Start with the structure (LLC, sole proprietorship or corporation), then the state filings, then the license from the city or town where the business actually sits. Every page lists its official sources and the date we checked them.

Start here

How to start a business in South CarolinaStep-by-step: pick a structure, check the name, file with the SC Secretary of State, get a free EIN, register with SCDOR, and get your Charleston-area business license. Fees and sources included.
LLC vs sole proprietorship vs corporation in South CarolinaHow each business structure works in South Carolina: liability, federal and state taxes, filing fees, annual requirements, and which one fits. Includes when an S corporation election makes sense.

Local licenses

Business licenses in Charleston, North Charleston and Mount PleasantWho issues your business license in the Charleston area, how the fee is figured, the April 30 renewal date, late penalties, zoning and home businesses. Checked against each city's official page.

After you open

Hiring your first employee in South CarolinaThe South Carolina employer checklist: I-9, E-Verify within 3 business days, new hire reporting within 20 days, SCDOR withholding, DEW unemployment insurance, and when workers' comp kicks in.