Begin Your South Carolina C-Corp Seamlessly

Forming a C-Corp in South Carolina is straightforward and legally secure with our expert guidance. Whether you’re aiming to attract investors or establish a formal presence, we ensure compliance with state laws at every step. Start your C-Corp today with a free consultation, powered by One IBC. Starts at $199 + filing fees.

Get Your Business Started Today. Select Your Package

Basic

$199

+ States Filing Fees

Form my C-Corp

02 weeks processing

Agent fee

Registered Address

Document filing with the Secretary of State

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Standard

$499

+ States Filing Fees

Form my C-Corp

05 days processing

Includes everything in basic package

Comprehensive name check

Preparation of Articles of Incorporation

Lifetime customer support (phone & email)

Federal Tax ID (EIN) Obtainment Service

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Recommended

Premium

$599

+ States Filing Fees

Form my C-Corp

01 day processing

Includes everything in standard package

2 hours of free tax consultation

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Why Choose a C-Corp in South Carolina?

Attract Investment Opportunities

Issue stock to raise funds, appealing to investors in South Carolina’s manufacturing and tourism sectors, while staying compliant with state regulations.

Boost Your Professional Image

A C-Corp enhances credibility, helping you build trust and secure partnerships in South Carolina’s competitive markets.

Support Scalability

Establish a formal structure to grow your business across South Carolina, ensuring adherence to legal standards.

What Constitutes a South Carolina C-Corp?

A C-Corp is a legally recognized entity established by filing Articles of Incorporation with the South Carolina Secretary of State, ensuring a separate structure from its owners. It faces corporate and shareholder taxation but offers benefits for businesses aiming to scale, all while meeting state legal requirements.

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Why Set Up a C-Corp in South Carolina?

Access Capital for Growth

Issue stock to attract investors, leveraging South Carolina’s business-friendly environment to fund expansion while complying with state regulations.

Gain a Competitive Edge

Establish a formal structure that enhances credibility, making it easier to secure contracts in South Carolina’s key industries, like manufacturing and tourism.

Build a Strong Foundation

Set up a C-Corp with our support to ensure compliance with South Carolina laws, positioning your business for long-term success.

C-Corp Benefits in South Carolina

A South Carolina C-Corp offers liability protection, shielding your personal assets from business debts or lawsuits. It lets you issue shares to attract investors, ensuring compliance with state laws while supporting growth.

C-Corp Legal Duties in South Carolina

South Carolina C-Corps must file Articles of Incorporation, appoint a registered agent, adopt bylaws, hold annual meetings, and file an Annual Report by the 15th day of the fourth month after the fiscal year ends (typically April 15 for calendar-year corporations). We ensure compliance with all state requirements.

C-Corp vs. S-Corp in South Carolina

A C-Corp in South Carolina faces corporate and shareholder taxation but can issue unlimited shares to attract investors, ideal for scaling businesses. An S-Corp offers single-level taxation at the shareholder level, limits shareholders to 100 (U.S. citizens or residents), and must comply with state and federal laws. Both must file with the South Carolina Secretary of State.

S Corporation vs. C Corporation in South Carolina: Key Differences

Both S-Corps and C-Corps are legally recognized structures in South Carolina—we’ll help you choose the right one while ensuring full compliance with state laws.

S Corporation

Single-Level Taxation

Profits are taxed only at the shareholder level, per IRS rules, ensuring legal reporting.

Ownership Restrictions

Limited to 100 shareholders, all U.S. citizens or residents, with only common stock, per federal law.

C Corporation

Corporate Structure

Faces corporate and shareholder taxation, per South Carolina and federal laws.

Flexible Ownership

Allows unlimited shareholders and stock types, ideal for businesses seeking diverse investors.

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Steps to Form a C-Corp in South Carolina

Select and Secure Your Business Name

Choose a unique name for your C-Corp that complies with South Carolina naming rules, including a designator like “Corporation” or “Inc.” We’ll check availability and reserve it with the Secretary of State if needed.

Designate a Registered Agent

South Carolina requires a registered agent to receive legal documents. We can appoint one for you, ensuring compliance with state laws.

File Articles of Incorporation

We’ll prepare and file your Articles of Incorporation with the South Carolina Secretary of State, including required details like your business address, to establish your C-Corp legally. We also assist with opening a bank account to get you started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a physical business address required in South Carolina for incorporating a C Corporation?

No, a South Carolina physical office address is not necessary to incorporate a C Corporation. A third-party service provider in South Carolina can be used as a registered agent to receive legal documents, and thus, no local address is needed. Filing Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State for a reasonable fee is the last step. The business-friendly state of South Carolina, with strong industries like manufacturing, automotive, and tourism in Charleston and Greenville, offers incorporation without location, making it ideal for companies leveraging the state's coastal ports and growing economy.

What is double taxation and how does it impact C Corporations in South Carolina?

Double taxation occurs when C Corporation earnings are taxed first at the corporate level and then again as dividends distributed to shareholders. South Carolina C Corporation shareholders pay an extra state corporate income tax rate of 5% on top of federal taxes. Shareholders must pay personal income tax on dividends too, reducing net income. This effect is obviated in South Carolina and by incentives such as the Job Development Credit with the low paltry tax rate. Aerospace and manufacturing companies preclude double taxation by deducting or reinvesting profits too. Professional consultation ensures compliance and optimizes strategy for South Carolina C Corporations, ensuring growth in the competitive economies that include Columbia's innovation districts.

Is a South Carolina C Corporation suitable for startups seeking venture capital?

In fact, a South Carolina C Corporation is perfectly suited for startups in search of venture capital. The C-Corp structure accommodates unlimited shareholders and special stock classes, which are compatible with investor demands South Carolina's relatively low 5% corporate tax rate and economic incentives like the SC Launch program help towards fiscal attractiveness. The state's developing startup infrastructure, with Greenville's expanding tech sector and Charleston's tourism, exposes entrepreneurs to local investors. C Corporations also make it easier to establish stock option plans to bring in talent to drive growth. Compliance with federal securities laws ensures trouble-free fundraising, making South Carolina C-Corps a very viable choice for automobile manufacturing and biotechnology startups.

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