Hiring your first employee in South Carolina
Most of this is a one-time setup you do before the first paycheck. The order below is the order that keeps you out of penalties.
Checked against official sources on November 6, 2026.
- E-Verify
- Within 3 business days of hire
- New hire report
- Within 20 days
- Workers' comp
- Required at 4 or more employees
- UI wage reports
- Quarterly: Apr 30, Jul 31, Oct 31, Jan 31
The checklist
- Form I-9 for every new hire.
- E-Verify within 3 business days of the hire date. South Carolina's Illegal Immigration Reform Act requires it.
- Report the new hire within 20 days at newhire.sc.gov.
- Open an SCDOR withholding account (free) on the same MyDORWAY application as your other state taxes.
- Register for unemployment insurance with the SC Department of Employment and Workforce through SUITS. Quarterly wage reports are due April 30, July 31, October 31 and January 31.
- Workers' compensation is required once you regularly employ 4 or more people in South Carolina. Part-time workers and family members count. Employers with annual payroll under $3,000 are exempt.
- Hang the required workplace posters from SC LLR and the federal agencies.
Common questions
Do I need workers' comp for one employee in South Carolina?
Not usually. It's required once you regularly employ 4 or more people in the state, counting part-time workers and family members. Employers with under $3,000 in annual payroll are exempt.
Is E-Verify required in South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina employers must verify new hires through E-Verify within 3 business days of hire.