Business

Forming an LLC in South Carolina — Hispanic entrepreneur guide

How to form an LLC in South Carolina: formation fee ($110), annual fee ($0 — no annual report), step-by-step process.

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The South Carolina State House in Columbia.

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Forming an LLC in South Carolina

Why South Carolina

No annual fee — just $110 formation, then free Atlantic coast access + Charlotte proximity Hispanic community ~6% (growing in Greenville, Columbia) Accepts ITIN

Key facts

Item	Information
Formation fee	$110
Annual fee	$0 — no annual report
Deadline	No annual report requirement
Accepts ITIN	✅ Yes

Process

Unique name ending in “LLC”
Registered Agent in South Carolina
Articles of Organization ($110)
Operating Agreement (internal)
EIN from IRS (free)
Business bank account

Platform: South Carolina Secretary of State

Last verified: 2026-07-11.

State services and resources in South Carolina

Where to register your LLC in South Carolina

The Secretary of State office (or equivalent) of South Carolina handles LLC registrations. Generally accepts filings:

Online (fastest, 1-3 days)
By mail (4-8 weeks)
In person (varies by state capital)

Post-formation requirements

EIN from IRS (free, online, ~15 minutes)
Business bank account — most require LLC docs + EIN
State/local licenses depending on business type
Annual Report yearly (keeps LLC active)
Quarterly tax estimates if income > $1,000/quarter

LLC for immigrants with ITIN

Permitted: ITIN holders can be LLC members
Banking: business accounts with ITIN available (BlueVine, Mercury, Lili — verify policies)
Tax filing: Schedule C on your 1040 with ITIN; Form 1065 for multi-member LLC

Common errors

Forgetting annual report (can dissolve LLC)
Mixing personal and LLC finances (loses limited liability protection)
No Operating Agreement (even single-member)
Operating in another state without registering as foreign LLC

South Carolina-specific resources

South Carolina Secretary of State — LLC search + filings
South Carolina Department of Revenue — state business taxes
SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) — free small business mentoring
SBA (Small Business Administration) — free counseling via SCORE and SBDC, open to everyone. ⚠️ SBA loans (7(a), 504, microloans) are closed to non-citizen owners since March/April 2026 — including green-card holders. See who can still use each SBA program and the CDFI lenders that do accept an ITIN.

Last verified: 2026-07-11.

General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Laws and fees change — verify with the issuing agency before taking action. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney or other appropriate professional.

ITIN — file business taxes without SSN — ITIN holders can form and operate LLCs
ITIN-friendly business banking — checking accounts that open without an SSN
USCIS forms — H-1B, L-1, E-2 investor visas — when LLC ownership supports a visa case
State income tax obligations — business taxes vary by state
Find an immigration attorney — for complex investor or work-visa cases tied to your LLC

Frequently asked questions

Do I need SSN to form an LLC in South Carolina?

NO. You can form an LLC in South Carolina using ITIN or just passport number. After, to open a bank account for the LLC, you’ll need EIN (free Federal Tax ID from IRS, NO SSN required) and possibly the holder’s ITIN.

How much does it cost to form an LLC in South Carolina?

Costs vary: state filing fee $50-$500, registered agent $0-$300/year (self-RA if you have South Carolina address), LLC operating agreement $0-$200, EIN FREE via IRS, annual report fees $20-$300/year depending on state.

Better to form LLC in South Carolina or in Wyoming/Delaware?

If your business operates in South Carolina, cheapest is forming LLC in South Carolina. If you operate in another state but register the LLC in Wyoming/Delaware, you must register as ‘foreign LLC’ in your operating state — paying both fees. Wyoming/Delaware only makes sense for passive LLCs (rentals, investments, holding companies).

Does my South Carolina LLC pay taxes?

By default, single-member LLC is ‘disregarded entity’ (taxes flow through to owner via Schedule C). Multi-member LLC treated as ‘partnership’ (Form 1065). You can elect S-Corp or C-Corp taxation via Form 2553/8832. Consult CPA with ITIN experience.

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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.