The cost to form an LLC for a North Charleston business starts with the $110 South Carolina filing fee. Add annual fees, a registered agent, and local North Charleston business taxes below.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
South Carolina charges a $110 filing fee to form an LLC, with no annual report fee (a franchise/margin tax filing may apply). South Carolina exempts the first $3,460 of income from tax. The state is reducing its top rate from 6.4% toward a flat rate over the coming years. SC is very favorable for retirees, exempting most retirement income.
| Cost Item | Amount | When Due |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Filing Fee | $110 | One-time at formation |
| State franchise / margin tax | Only above revenue threshold | Annually |
| Registered Agent Service | $49 to $300/year | Annually |
| Local North Charleston Business License / Tax | $50/year (est.) | Annually |
| Operating Agreement | $0 to $500 | One-time (recommended) |
| EIN (Federal Tax ID) | Free | One-time (IRS.gov) |
South Carolina does not levy a local business income tax, but North Charleston and most South Carolina municipalities require a business license with a fee based on gross receipts. Budget for the local business license on top of the South Carolina LLC filing fee.
North Charleston is the third-largest city in South Carolina and the industrial engine of the Charleston metro, home to the Boeing 787 final assembly plant, the Joint Base Charleston military installation, port terminals, and major retail and manufacturing employers.
| Local Metric | North Charleston (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 120,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Charleston County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 97 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $20.50/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $41.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $7.25/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,500/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,850/month |
| Median home price | $360,000 |
| Median household income | $60,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 9% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.55% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The LLC filing fee is set by South Carolina at $110, since LLCs are formed at the state level. You also need a registered agent (about $49 to $300/year), and any local North Charleston business license or tax. South Carolina does not levy a local business income tax, but North Charleston and most South Carolina municipalities require a business license with a fee based on gross receipts. Budget for the local business license on top of the South Carolina LLC filing fee.
South Carolina does not levy a local business income tax, but North Charleston and most South Carolina municipalities require a business license with a fee based on gross receipts. Budget for the local business license on top of the South Carolina LLC filing fee.
Plan for the state franchise/margin tax if applicable, registered agent renewal (about $49/year), and any local North Charleston business license or tax. The calculator above totals these for you.
LLCs are registered with the South Carolina Department of Revenue at the state level, not the city. You then comply with local North Charleston requirements such as a business license, zoning, and any city business tax. There is no separate city-level LLC filing.
If your business actually operates in North Charleston, forming in South Carolina is usually simplest. Forming in Delaware or Wyoming while operating in North Charleston typically forces you to register as a foreign LLC in South Carolina anyway, paying fees in both states.