SC Business License Fee Finder

Frequently asked questions

How is a South Carolina business license fee calculated?

Most SC cities and counties use the standard rate classes from the 2020 Business License Tax Standardization Act (Act 176): you pay a base amount for the first $2,000 of gross receipts, plus a set amount per $1,000 above that. Your class depends on your NAICS code. Use the calculator for an estimate, then confirm with the town.

When are SC business licenses due?

License years run May 1 to April 30. For the 2026–27 year, renewals posted on the state renewal portal were due April 30, 2026, with a 5% penalty per month after that at most towns.

Do I need a license from both the city and the county?

Often yes: a city license covers work inside city limits, and some counties (like Charleston, Richland, Horry and Beaufort) also license businesses in unincorporated areas. If you work in several towns, each one may require its own license.

Where does this data come from?

Rates, due dates and penalties come from each jurisdiction's page on the SC Local Business License Renewal Center (localblrenewal.com), which towns use to publish their rates for online renewal. Every value is linked and dated. If a page doesn't show a value, we mark it Not published.