Corporation · South Carolina · 2026

What a corporation really costs in South Carolina

Every state fee and deadline for a corporation in South Carolina, from the official state source, checked October 2026.

To form

$135

Articles of Incorporation (with Form CL-1 Initial Annual Report)

First year with the state

~$160

Filing + one round of required reports and minimum taxes

With Incorra

$135

Free filing, state fee at cost. Or $384 with Plus (agent + reports, $249/yr).

Every recurring requirement

  • South Carolina corporate annual report & license fee (with SC1120)Every year by April 15. Annual report (Schedule D) and license fee are filed with the SC Department of Revenue with the corporate income tax return, due the 15th day of the 4th month after year end (April 15 for calendar year). License fee = 0.1% of capital stock + paid-in surplus + $15, minimum $25. Income tax itself depends on income.$25

Questions

How much does it cost to form a corporation in South Carolina?

South Carolina charges $135 to file the Articles of Incorporation (with Form CL-1 Initial Annual Report).

What does a corporation cost every year in South Carolina?

South Carolina corporate annual report & license fee (with SC1120): $25, every year by April 15 (Annual report (Schedule D) and license fee are filed with the SC Department of Revenue with the corporate income tax return, due the 15th day of the 4th month after year end (April 15 for calendar year). License fee = 0.1% of capital stock + paid-in surplus + $15, minimum $25. Income tax itself depends on income.).

What if my corporation was formed in another state?

To do business in South Carolina you register as a foreign entity: Application for a Certificate of Authority (with Form CL-1), $135.

Not sure a corporation is right?

Describe your business and Incorra compares LLC, S-corp and C-corp with your numbers, including the tax when you sell, then files it in South Carolina.

Plan my company free

Source: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t33c044.php · verified 2026-10-15. State fees change; Incorra re-checks them regularly. General information, not legal or tax advice.