Best LLC Services in South Carolina

Starting an LLC in South Carolina? Avoid costly filing mistakes and get it right the first time with these top-rated LLC services.

Start Your LLC for $0 - Just Pay State Fees

• Check business name availability
• Lifetime compliance alerts
• Lifetime support via email and phone
• LLC filing + optional tools to build your brand

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Form Your LLC at $0 + State Filing Fees

Form your business at $0, just pay the state filing fees, with the Basic package. The Basic package includes:

• Articles of organization
• Name check service
• Digital welcome packet
• Customizable website

Form Your LLC

LLC Formation Service - $39 + State Fees

• Files all paperwork with the state
• 1 year registered agent included
• Privacy by Default (use their address instead of yours)
• Free LLC Operating Agreement
• Never sells your data. Ever.

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South Carolina's LLC fees are cheaper compared to those of other states. But filing mistakes can make those low fees snowball into unexpected costs.

Skip the headaches and launch with confidence using these best LLC services in South Carolina.

Northwest Registered Agent

Best for: Enhanced privacy protection

South Carolina is one of those states where forming an LLC means sharing a lot of addresses. The Articles of Organization asks for:^[1]

• Office address
  
• LLC member's address
  
• Agent for service of process address
  
• Organizer's address

Since this form becomes publicly available, anyone can look up the addresses you list. That means spammers and scammers could easily get their hands on your personal information.

One way around this? Using Northwest Registered Agent. They let you list their address on every part of the form, from the registered agent to the manager's addresses.

Plus, all your personal information and legal documents are handled by Northwest's in-house Corporate Guides®. This further helps protect your privacy compared to providers that rely on third-party support.

Established in 1998, Northwest Registered Agent is one of the country's oldest LLC services. They have offices across the country, with one in Charleston, SC, and offer a straightforward process to form an LLC in any state.

LLC Formation Service - $39 + State Fees

Click Here to Get Deal

• Files all paperwork with the state
• 1 year registered agent included
• Privacy by Default (use their address instead of yours)
• Free LLC Operating Agreement
• Never sells your data. Ever.

Core services and fees:
Northwest Registered Agent offers just one LLC formation package, with add-on services:

• Filing Services: $39 + state fees^[2]
  Aside from preparing and filing your documents, you also get one year of free registered agent service, an operating agreement, and 90 days of free website, email, and phone.

• Registered Agent Services: $125/year^[3]
  Get same-day scans, instant notifications, a business address, free mail forwarding, and more.

• Annual Report: $100/year + state fees^[4]
  Most states require LLCs to submit an annual report. It contains updated information about your business, including a new address, contact number, or member. Northwest files this report yearly, so you don't have to worry about due dates.

• Identity Services: $9+/monthly^[5]
  Northwest's business identity services are free for 90 days. Identity services include a website domain name, a customizable website, up to 10 business email addresses, and an Internet-accessible phone line (unlimited calls and texts).

Pros + Cons:

Rocket Lawyer

Best for: LLCs taxed as corporations

If you're planning to choose a C-Corp or S-Corp tax status for your South Carolina LLC, Rocket Lawyer is worth a look.

They'll walk you through forming an LLC with the right structure from day one so you don't have to fix costly mistakes later. They also offer tools to help you file taxes correctly based on your election, plus guidance on maximizing deductions.

Another thing that Rocket Lawyer can help with is annual reports. Most LLCs in South Carolina don't have to submit an initial and annual report, unless they're taxed as an S- or C-Corp. If your LLC has that tax classification, they can help file your annual report correctly, so you won't risk penalties or lose your good standing.

For entrepreneurs choosing a corporate tax structure, this kind of built-in compliance support can make all the difference.

Founded in 2008, Rocket Lawyer has an A BBB rating.^[6] Their experience with LLC formation and legal rules helps you stay compliant long-term.

Plans and Pricing:^[7]
Rocket Lawyer offers two membership plans:

• Rocket Legal: $39.99/mo
  
• Rocket Legal+: $19.99/mo or $239.88/yr

Both plans offer the same benefits, including unlimited custom legal documents, Document Defense® in case of contract dispute, and access to an experienced lawyer for any legal questions.

The difference? Rocket Legal+ is billed annually and offers up to 50% discount on most a la carte services:

Pros + Cons:

ZenBusiness

Best for: Business license and permit assistance

While South Carolina does not have a statewide general business license, individual cities and counties do. For example, most businesses operating in Charleston, SC, must have a general city business license.^[8] Depending on what your LLC does and where exactly it's located, you might need even more permits and licenses.

If you need help with both LLC filings and permits and licenses, consider ZenBusiness. They'll give you an in-depth report of the licenses and permits your business needs to legally operate at the local, county, state, and federal levels. This saves you time and helps you to open your business faster.

Founded in 2017, ZenBusiness has helped over 850,000 businesses^[9] and is also BBB-accredited with an A+ rating^[10]. It offers business formation and compliance services, including help with annual reports and license requirements.

Starter - $0 + State Filing Fees

Click Here to Learn More

• Includes 1 optional free year of Worry-Free Compliance that renews at $199/year
• Standard filing speed
• 100% accuracy guaranteed
• Other services are available with additional costs

Packages and fees:^[12]
ZenBusiness offers three packages for LLC formation: a free basic package, and 2 paid tiers with annual fees.

• Starter: $0 + state fees
  With Starter, you get standard formation features like business name search, preparation and filing of formation documents, and an online account to access documents.

  The Starter plan also includes a free year of Worry-Free Compliance services and a free tax savings consultation.

• Pro: $199/yr + state fees
  Pro is ideal if you want ZenBusiness to handle most of your LLC's requirements without paying for each service separately. You get everything in Starter plus an operating agreement, EIN, and rush filing.

• Premium: $299/yr + state fees
  Premium includes everything in the first two plans, plus unlimited access to Zenbusiness's business template library, a business website, and business email.

Pros + Cons:

LegalZoom

Best for: On-call business and legal guidance

South Carolina can be a tricky place to run a business, especially when it comes to legal matters.

The state has a rule that says if something goes wrong, anyone involved can be forced to pay a huge chunk of the damages, even if they were barely at fault.^[13] For example, if a customer drinks too much at a bar, drives, and crashes—and that customer can't afford to pay—guess who's likely to get hit with the bill? The bar.

South Carolina also allows people to sue businesses in any county where they operate, not just where the incident happened.^[13] That means attorneys can pick places where jurors are more likely to side with the person suing. It's called "venue shopping," and it can make lawsuits even tougher for business owners to fight.

That's why a service like LegalZoom is so helpful for LLCs in South Carolina. Their services are designed to support your business long after formation.

Their premium LLC service comes with unlimited 30-minute consultations with licensed attorneys on new legal issues related to your business. You can ask them about ways to protect your business from risks and clarify other legal concerns before opening your doors to customers.

You also get attorney support to review your LLC formation, so everything's done right from day one. And unlike a traditional law firm, you don't need to pay a retainer to get expert legal help when you need it.

Since 2001, LegalZoom has helped form over 4 million businesses^[14] and is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating^[15]. Although pricier than other providers, LegalZoom's combination of business and legal services could be valuable.

Form Your LLC at $0 + State Filing Fees

Form your business at $0, just pay the state filing fees, with the Basic package. The Basic package includes:

• Articles of organization
• Name check service
• Digital welcome packet
• Customizable website

Click Here to Form Your LLC

Tailor Brands

Best for: LLC formation with branding services

Whether you're dreaming of a cozy café near Charleston's tourist-packed streets or planning a cool study lounge right by the University of South Carolina, one thing's for sure: you'll need more than just an LLC. You'll need a brand that makes people stop, notice, and walk through your door.

Tailor Brands is built to help with that. Sure, they'll take care of the official stuff, like preparing and filing your Articles of Organization with the state. But what makes them stand out is how they help you build your brand from day one.

With their elite LLC package, you get a sleek business website, professional logos, custom business cards, and social media tools to help spread the word. You can even design your own merch that's perfect for promoting your new venture, like a cozy sweatshirt or attention-grabbing hat with your logo.

One other thing: Tailor Brands gives you a personalized business plan for free. After forming your South Carolina LLC, they'll hand you tailored marketing ideas, branding tips, and even advice on managing your business finances. This isn't something other LLC services offer.

Founded in 2014, Tailor Brands is an online business formation company specializing in LLC and branding services. It's recommended for business owners who need help establishing their company's brand identity on top of starting an LLC.

Start Your LLC for $0 - Just Pay State Fees

Click Here to Get Deal

• Check business name availability
• Lifetime compliance alerts
• Lifetime support via email and phone
• LLC filing + optional tools to build your brand

Pricing and packages:
Tailor Brands offers three types of LLC formation packages:

• Lite: $0 + state fees
  With Tailor Brands' cheapest plan, you only need to pay the state filing fees, then you'll get formation services like name availability research and preparation and filing of the Articles of Organization.

• Essential: $199/yr + state fees
  For an annual fee, the Essential plan also includes an operating agreement and annual compliance services. You're also entitled to expedited filing within two business days after payment.

• Elite: $249/yr + state fees
  Only Tailor Brands' most expensive plan comes with business branding tools. It includes extras like a 1-year free website domain, DIY website or e-commerce store, complimentary logos, business card tools, and a social media post tool.

Tailor Brands also offers add-ons like registered agents, business license and permit reports, and other business branding services.

Pros + Cons:

Methodology

To identify the best LLC services in South Carolina, we evaluated five key criteria: pricing and formation packages, turnaround time, registered agent, compliance assistance, and customer support.

We reviewed each service's pricing structures and formation packages, ensuring cost transparency and valuable features—such as operating agreements, EIN, and expedited turnaround time.

Next, the cost and availability of registered agent services and compliance assistance were assessed. These services help businesses stay in good standing with the state.

Finally, customer support was evaluated based on office hours and response times. These two factors allowed us to identify the most dependable and user-friendly LLC services in South Carolina.

How to Choose the Best LLC Service

There are a lot of LLC services out there. Choosing the best one can be tough, especially if this is your first time using one.

Here are a few tips to help you decide:

• Compare the included features
  LLC formation services don't include the same features in their packages. Compare each to see which package has the services you need at the price you're willing to pay.

• Read customer reviews
  You want an LLC service that provides high-quality customer support, even after placing your order. Check customer reviews to see how well they handle concerns and inquiries.

• Consider their specialty
  LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer are better choices if you need legal assistance. But Bizee and Northwest Registered Agent are better if you need more startup business-oriented services, like registered agent services or annual compliance assistance.

Setup Fee	Starts at $0 + state fees (Basic)	Starts at $0 + state fees (Starter)	$39 + state fees
Registered Agent	$249/year	$199/year	$125/year
Order Processing Time	1 to 2 weeks	7 to 10 business days	Within 1 business day
Expedited Processing	Available with extra costs	Available with extra costs	Available with extra costs
Cancellation	60-day money-back guarantee; State fees are refundable until paid to the state	60-day money-back guarantee; State fees are refundable until paid to the state	90-day money-back guarantee; State fees are non-refundable
Customer Service	Phone: (888) 379-0854 Monday - Friday: 5AM - 7PM PT Weekends: 7AM - 4PM PT Online chat	Phone: 844-493-6249 Monday - Friday: 8AM - 8PM CT Saturday - Sunday: 9AM - 6PM CT Online chat Web form	24/7 Phone: 509-768-2249 Online chat Web form

DIY vs. Hire LLC Services in South Carolina

The decision to DIY or hire an LLC service depends on your comfort level, budget, and priorities. Here are points to consider:

• Cost
  Filing business formation documents on your own is cheaper as you only pay state filing fees. Alternatively, subscribe to free LLC formation services like those offered by Tailor Brands and Bizee. Just be prepared for the upsells of other services.

• Time and convenience
  You can DIY if you have time to research the requirements, prepare the documents, file them with the state, and track its status. Otherwise, hire an LLC service to do the job.

• Expertise
  Use LLC services if you’re unsure about legal jargon or don’t want to risk making mistakes. Alternatively, take time to learn them before filing documents with the state.

• Registered agent services
  You can be the LLC's registered agent as long as you qualify. But if you aren't ready to shoulder this responsibility, appoint someone else or an LLC service as the registered agent.

• Compliance requirements
  Most states have annual LLC requirements, including annual fees and reports. If you want someone else to manage these, hire an LLC service.

• Control
  You hire LLC services because they can do the heavy lifting. However, that also means you rely on them to do everything correctly. That said, DIY is ideal if you want complete control over the process.

Generally, DIY is easy if your LLC is simple, like a single-member LLC with no special tax needs.

Why Form an LLC in South Carolina?

Establishing an LLC in South Carolina offers several advantages. For instance, South Carolina's top marginal individual income tax rate is relatively lower than other states. This benefits LLC members who report business profits on personal returns.

Additionally, the state has relatively lower labor costs than other parts of the country. Given such benefits, you might expect significant cost savings and increased profitability for your LLC.

How to Form an LLC in South Carolina

Starting an LLC in South Carolina is easy enough. You can even do it yourself in six steps:

1. Choose a name
   Your LLC name must be unique and distinguishable from other businesses registered in South Carolina. It must also have Limited Liability Company, LLC, or similar at the end.

2. Appoint a registered agent
   A registered agent receives legal documents on behalf of your LLC. They must have a physical address in the state where the LLC does business.

3. File the Articles of Organization
   Next, submit the Articles of Organization and the filing fee to the South Carolina Secretary of State. This form usually includes details like the LLC name, registered agent, and business purpose.

4. Create an operating agreement
   An LLC operating agreement contains information like the roles and responsibilities of each member, how new or departing members will be treated, and how business profits and losses will be divided.

5. Get an EIN
   Any LLC with more than one member or with employees must have an EIN, regardless of how it's taxed. This is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the IRS to identify a business entity for tax-related purposes.

6. Get business permits and licenses
   Depending on your business, you may need additional licenses or permits. For example, you need a sales tax permit if you sell consumable goods. Research state-specific requirements and local rules that apply to your LLC.

Once your LLC is up and running, comply with ongoing requirements like filing the annual report (if your LLC is taxed as a corporation) and renewing business permits and licenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is South Carolina a good state to form an LLC?

  Yes, South Carolina can be a good state to form an LLC because of its low state filing fees and few compliance requirements. For example, the annual report minimum filing fee is only $25^[16]. And only LLCs taxed as a C- or S-Corp are required to file it.

• How much does LLC cost in South Carolina?

  It costs at least $110 to file the Articles of Organization with the South Carolina Secretary of State.^[17] However, the total cost of forming an LLC could be much higher. You might pay for things like registered agent services, permits and licenses, and other state filing fees.

• What is the best LLC service in South Carolina?

  The best LLC service in South Carolina is one that meets your needs. LegalZoom is great for on-call legal services, Tailor Brands is ideal for help with branding and marketing, and Northwest Registered Agent is a top pick for those who value maximum privacy.

• Does an LLC need a business license in South Carolina?

  South Carolina doesn't have a state-level general business license. However, you need a retail license if you sell taxable goods or services in the state.

• Do you need a registered agent for an LLC in South Carolina?

  Yes, all LLCs in South Carolina must have a registered agent to receive business and legal documents. Your registered agent must have a physical street address in South Carolina and be available to receive documents during business hours.

Bottom Line

Northwest Registered Agent, Tailor Brands, and LegalZoom are the best LLC services in South Carolina because they do more than just filing and preparing business documents.

From on-call expert attorneys to marketing and branding tools, their comprehensive services can help your business thrive in the competitive South Carolina market.

Carefully compare their offers, pricing, and customer reviews to select the perfect partner for your business needs.

References