Compare Business Types in South Carolina
LLC, corporation, S-Corp, nonprofit or partnership: what each costs to form and keep in South Carolina, side by side. An LLC is $110 to file.
Last verified August 2026 against official South Carolina sources.
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South Carolina Business Structures at a Glance
| Feature | Corporation | LLC | Nonprofit | Partnership | S-Corp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State filing fee | $135 | $110 | $25 | $10 | $135 |
| Expedite fee | $25 | $25 | — | $25 | $25 |
| Processing time | 5-7 business days | 5-7 business days | 5-10 business days | 5-7 business days | 5-7 business days |
| Annual/biennial report fee | $25 | $0 | $0 | $10 | $25 |
| Franchise / minimum tax | — | — | — | — | — |
| Recurring state fees / yr (est.) | $25 | $0 | $0 | $10 | $25 |
| Publication required | No | No | No | No | No |
| Registered agent | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Minimum owners | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Recurring estimate = report fee (halved for biennial reports) + franchise/minimum tax. Excludes publication, registered-agent and income taxes. S-Corp is a federal tax election (IRS Form 2553) made by an LLC or corporation.
LLC vs. Other Structures in South Carolina
LLC vs. Corporation
Unlike a South Carolina corporation, an LLC avoids double taxation by passing income directly to members, and it has fewer formality requirements such as no mandatory board meetings or corporate minutes. However, corporations may find it easier to raise capital through issuing stock.
LLC vs. S-Corp
An S-Corp in South Carolina offers potential self-employment tax savings by allowing owner-employees to split income between salary and distributions, whereas an LLC's active members pay self-employment tax on all net profits. However, S-Corps have restrictions on the number and type of shareholders, while LLCs have no such ownership limits.
LLC vs. Partnership
Unlike a general partnership, a South Carolina LLC provides its members with limited liability protection, shielding personal assets from business debts. Partnerships do not require a state filing and have lower startup costs, but partners face unlimited personal liability.
LLC vs. Nonprofit
A South Carolina LLC is a for-profit entity designed to generate income for its members, while a nonprofit corporation is organized for charitable, educational, or public benefit purposes and can apply for federal tax-exempt status under IRS Section 501(c)(3). Nonprofits cannot distribute profits to members or directors.
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