South Carolina Sales Tax Guide

South Carolina, the 8th state in the union, is a coastal state with strong tourist draws. Myrtle Beach, the center of the sixty mile Grand Strand, has become the resort destination of the east coast. In addition to tourist draws, South Carolina has agriculture galore. It’s the only state in the nation to produce tea, it’s one of the top peach producing states in the country, and it has the largest ginko farm in the world! If you’re one of the happy small business owners who calls South Carolina home, you’re going to want to be sure your business stays in line with South Carolina's sales tax laws. No problem! That’s why we have assembled this all-in-one guide; so that you can readily meet the sales tax compliance requirements for a small business in South Carolina. 

After reading this guide, you will have learned:

• How to be prepared for your call with the South Carolina Department of Revenue.
• How to contact the South Carolina Department of Revenue.
• When to charge sales tax in South Carolina.
• What goods, products, and services are taxable in South Carolina.
• When you establish a sales tax nexus with the state of South Carolina, and the nuances of various thresholds.
• How to register for a sales tax license in South Carolina.
• How to collect sales tax in South Carolina.
• How to file and pay sales tax in South Carolina.

If, after reading, you still have any questions to help you determine your tax sales obligations in South Carolina and how to fulfill them, we are here for your small business bookkeeping needs! 

South Carolina Sales Tax Contacts

✅  Do you need to get in touch with the South Carolina Department of Revenue?

✅  Are you uncertain about whether to visit, call them, or contact them through their website?  

✅ Do you wonder what information you should have ready before you contact them?

If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, please read onward, as we have just the information you need! :)

The South Carolina Department of Revenue is reachable by phone at 844-898-8542. 

You can also visit their one of their taxpayer service centers or send them an email. If you are hoping for the fastest response, we always suggest that you call rather than visit in person. 

When you do call the South Carolina Department of Revenue, you will want to have some information on hand. It will save time to have the following information easily accessible before you call: 

• Taxpayer Name
• EIN
• Sales & Use Tax ID Number

If you plan on having a third party contact them on your behalf, you’ll want to be sure to have completed a power of attorney form (SC2848, PDF). If you don’t have a completed form they won’t be able to assist someone else on your behalf.

If you have any more questions, please feel free to contact us so we can assist you with your sales tax needs.

South Carolina Sales Tax Registration

Are you a new business selling tangible property in South Carolina? If yes, you are going to want to register your business with the South Carolina Department of Revenue so that you can pay your sales tax on time. 

You need not fret as this is a relatively simple process and one for which you’re about to be fully prepared. We are going to outline the steps below so you are totally ready to register for your sales tax license.

Here we go! Remember...

Preparation is key. 

Let’s get started!

How do I register to collect sales tax in South Carolina?

You can apply or register for a South Carolina sales tax permit by visiting the South Carolina MyDORWAY site and following the instructions provided.

South Carolina does offer an old school paper based form (PDF) you can print and mail in. This will be slower and more prone to errors, so we always suggest filing online to avoid potential hassle.

What information do I need to register for a South Carolina sales tax permit?

Great question!

Before you sign up for South Carolina sales tax permit you’ll want the following information on hand:

• Business name
• Business entity type 
• Description of business activities
• Date business activities began or will begin
• Business address and mailing address
• Business contact information
• Associated business entities 
• NAICS code that best matches the business
• Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
• List of business officers, partners, managing members, and/or trustees

Don’t forget! Preparation is key. When you have all this information ready, you can go online and register for your permit at the South Carolina MyDORWAY site. 

How much does it cost to register for a South Carolina sales tax permit?

South Carolina charges $50 to register a new business sales tax permit, but as long as ownership doesn’t change they don’t require a renewal fee. 

Do I need a Federal Tax ID Number or EIN to register for a South Carolina sales tax permit?

Quite right! You will most assuredly need one, but if you don’t already have one and need to get a new EIN, it’s a painless process. You can register for a Federal EIN right here :). 

Which agencies in South Carolina do I need to additionally register with?

You may need to check with some of the following agencies or resources: 

• South Carolina Department of Labor
• South Carolina Chamber of Commerce
• South Carolina Department of Revenue

You’ll want to give this some thought and do a little research or investigating; since every business is unique, and there are such different rules, regulations, and laws that may apply. 

We suggest contacting the South Carolina Department of Revenue to verify which additional government agencies you may be required to register with. 

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Huzzah!!!

You are now prepared to register for your South Carolina sales tax permit in South Carolina. 

Let’s summarize what we have covered:  

• Have all the required information easily accessible before registering online.
• Acquire a tax ID or EIN before registering for a South Carolina sales tax permit.
• Register online at the South Carolina MyDORWAY site.
• Look into what other agencies you may have to additionally register with.

Registering for your South Carolina sales tax permit will be stress free as long as you are prepared. We recommend organizing all the essential information in a folder, preferably using a system like Box.com or Dropbox (something we’re happy to handle for our customers). 

South Carolina Sales Tax FAQ 

By now, you may have already contacted the South Carolina Department of Revenue and applied for a South Carolina sales tax permit. 

Once you have a license to collect and remit sales taxes in South Carolina, you will probably be asking yourself two questions: 

• When do I charge a sales tax in South Carolina?

• What goods and services are subject to sales taxes in South Carolina? 

We are going to go over some common questions that our clients have asked. We believe these questions will help you appreciate the nuances of taxable goods so you can be confident in fulfilling your tax obligations. 

Let’s start with the first question…

What goods and services are considered taxable in South Carolina?

The following items are all taxable in the state of South Carolina: 

• Sales of tangible goods at retail.
• Repairs or alterations of tangible personal property.
• Property rentals, leases, or licenses [e.g. commercial, mini-warehouse]
• Selling service warranty contracts.
• Short-term rentals for living accommodations (e.g. motel/hotel, beach houses, condos, timeshares, vacation homes, or RV homes).
• Rental/lease of personal goods (e.g.: machinery, vehicles, equipment, or other property).
• Charges for admission to any place of amusement, sport, or recreation.
• Manufacturing or producing goods for retail sales.
• Operating vending machines or amusement rides.
• Services are mostly exempted, except for telecommunications and janitorial services.

The bottom line is …

Your business must pay taxes on sales of any non-exempt goods, and some taxable services.

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Let’s now review some of our clients’ frequently asked questions:

• Is South Carolina an Origin or Destination sales tax State?

• What creates a sales tax nexus in South Carolina?

• What is the economic threshold in South Carolina?

• Does Amazon have fulfillment centers in South Carolina?

• Does South Carolina have a Click-Through Nexus?

To best understand your tax obligations, new businesses need to consider how they are doing business and the type of relationships they have with buyers and any third parties to their transactions. 

Let’s discuss some questions that will help you understand the nature of your small business and the subsequent tax implications.   

Is South Carolina an origin or destination-based sales tax state?

South Carolina is a Destination-based sales tax state. This just means you’ll need to have a Point-of-Sales system configured to track tax based off your buyer’s location vs the business location.

 Protip: Charge sales tax based on your buyer’s location rather than your location

What creates sales tax nexus with the state of South Carolina?  

Having nexus, also known as "sufficient business presence,” with South Carolina means your business has established a taxing connection with a state. When this happens, you are required to collect and remit sales tax in South Carolina because you created a sales tax Nexus.

Even if your business maintains its main headquarters in another state, you may still have to charge and pay sales tax to the South Carolina Department of Revenue even if you never step foot in South Carolina.   

So, how do you create a sales tax Nexus in South Carolina?

A business establishes a nexus in South Carolina by:

• having a business location in South Carolina;
• having property stored in South Carolina;
• employing any person in South Carolina;
• contracting with a salesperson or other agent in South Carolina;
• leasing equipment used in South Carolina;
• performing services in South Carolina;
• licensing the use of intangible property in South Carolina, or transporting property in South Carolina using the taxpayer’s vehicles.

Let’s talk a bit more specifically about where your goods are stored, such as in the instance of an Amazon warehouse. 

Does Amazon have fulfillment centers in South Carolina?

Yes, there are two Amazon fulfillment centers in South Carolina:

4400 12th Street Extension // West Columbia, SC // 29172  Lexington County

402 John Dodd Rd. // Spartanburg, SC // 29303 Spartanburg County

Why does this matter?

This is relevant if you sell your products on Amazon or are recognized as an Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) seller. When Amazon stores your products in one of its fulfillment centers in any state, including Minnesota, this triggers a sales tax requirement. If Amazon is storing your products in a warehouse in Minnesota, you have created a taxing connection with the state of Minnesota.

We can help guide your small business through this! We use tools like A2X to identify where our clients' inventory is currently being held and shipped from so that we can keep them in compliance. We are super passionate about providing our clients with solutions that turn complexity into ease, so this is well within our wheelhouse :) 

Does South Carolina have economic nexus?

Yes, South Carolina does now have an economic nexus law. As of November 1st, 2018, remote sellers are liable to pay sales tax beyond a certain threshold. This means that even businesses without a physical presence or traditional nexus can be required to register for, collect, and pay sales taxes.

The threshold for registering is having a cumulative gross revenue of over $100,000 in a year to South Carolina purchasers.

For more information see the South Carolina DOR’s remote sellers page here.

Does South Carolina have click-through nexus?

No, no click-through nexus laws on the books in South Carolina as yet. This impacts affiliate marketers or those who gain income by referring rather than transacting sales.

Is South Carolina a streamlined sales tax state?

Nope, South Carolina has unfortunately not yet joined into this potentially time-saving multi-state streamlined tax program.

More effectively manage your tax needs by keeping this guide handy. 

You and your business can be better equipped to avoid situations like paying fines, paying back taxes that you did know you had to pay in the first place or facing an audit by the tax authorities in South Carolina.

Collecting Sales Tax in South Carolina

By now you know if you are a business that has established a nexus with South Carolina. So you have an understanding of whether, or when, you are required to collect sales tax. Knowing this is just half the battle! Now, we are going to help you with the next half of the battle: how to navigate the process of collecting taxes.

Let’s review some common questions our clients have asked regarding their South Carolina Sales Tax obligations. 

• How do I collect South Carolina Sales Tax?
• Who is eligible for South Carolina Sales Tax exemptions?
• What should I do if my customer is exempt from sales tax in South Carolina?
• What happens if I lose a South Carolina nontaxable transaction certificate? 

After reading this, you will be better equipped to determine when --and when not-- to collect sales tax in South Carolina.

How do I collect South Carolina sales tax?

Because South Carolina is a destination-based sales tax state, your business should charge sales tax at the time of the transaction based on the buyer’s location rather than that of the business. 

What are the current South Carolina sales tax rates?   

South Carolina’s state-wide sales tax rate is 6% at the time of this article’s writing, with local surtaxes potentially bringing that amount up to a maximum of 9%. Since sales tax rates may change, we advise you to check out the South Carolina Department of Revenue Tax Rate page which has the current rate. Any change will be reflected on that page.

It always helps to be accurate and up to date with this type of information! :) 

What is exempt from South Carolina sales tax?

• Purchases for resale
• Industrial Machinery
• Prescriptions & Medical Supplies
• Certain groceries 

And that’s it! Most items of tangible property are taxable in South Carolina.

Who are eligible for South Carolina sales tax exemptions?

At this point, you should know what products are exempt from sales tax in South Carolina. You also want to know who may be exempt. 

Under South Carolina law, the type of buyer or the way the goods will be used can qualify can buy for a sales tax exemption. A good example of this is a merchant purchasing goods for resale, aka a wholesaler.

Other common examples of an exempt buyer may include:

• Government agencies
• Non-profit organizations
• Religious groups
• Out-of-state buyers (should their business not have nexus in their home state).

Note that a non-profit status doesn’t instantly confer tax exemption.

What should I do if my customer is exempt from sales tax in South Carolina?

Purchasers who are tax-exempt must have completed resale certificate (PDF) and must present their completed exemption certificate at the time of purchase. It is then incumbent upon the seller to hold on to this exemption certificate. Failure to do so may leave you unable to justify tax-exempt sales.

Remember, you always want to collect and file a copy of the exempt certificate. Such certificates must be produced upon request in the event of an audit to justify tax-exempt sales.

What happens if I lose a South Carolina sales tax exemption certificate?

Hmm... Obviously, this issue is best to be avoided! Imagine finding out you’ll be audited and discovering you cannot produce an exemption certificate for a buyer! That nightmare scenario would mean you could be held liable to pay all taxes on behalf of the buyer. This is a bad scene and can be avoided by taking proper care with your paperwork… which happens to be one of our specialties! :) 

Does South Carolina have a sales tax holiday?

Yes! A Back to School Tax Holiday starting 12:01 AM on the first Friday in August and ending the following Sunday. South Carolina offers tax-free status on more than just clothing; they also permit certain home items and computers as well to be tax-free during the holiday.  

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We have now covered who you need to collect sales taxes from, how to determine whether goods for sale are deemed taxable, what goods and services fall under tax exemptions, who is eligible for tax exemption certificates, and, finally, the process of collecting sales tax in South Carolina state. 

Now that we’re this far down the rabbit hole there’s only one thing we need to learn about next… how to pay the piper! 

Filing and Paying Sales Tax in South Carolina

It is time to talk about filing and paying your sales taxes in South Carolina. In this section, We are going to cover the following frequently asked questions from our clients:

• When is South Carolina Sales Tax due?
• What are the South Carolina Sales Tax thresholds?
• What if a South Carolina Sales Tax filing date falls on a weekend or holiday?
• How do I file a South Carolina Sales Tax Return?
• How do I correct a South Carolina Sales Tax return?
• What happens if I don’t collect sales tax?
• What happens if I file or pay my sales tax return late?
• Do I need to file a return if I don’t collect any sales tax in South Carolina?
• If I close my business, do I need to file a final sales tax return?
• Does the South Carolina Department of Revenue offer a discount for filing on time?

By the time you finish reading this, you will feel confident enough to file and pay your South Carolina Sales Tax.

When is South Carolina sales tax due?

South Carolina sales tax payments are due based on the filing interval. Filing intervals are based on the company’s tax liability [detailed ahead, be patient! :p] 

The state of South Carolina requires payment by no later than the 20th day of the month following the reporting period

What are the South Carolina sales tax filing interval thresholds?

The thresholds for filing intervals are based on the expected or actual tax liability owed:

*anticipated if a new business, actual if an existing company

Not sure how to determine your tax filing frequency?

You can review your eCommerce or Point-of-Sale Software to see the volume of sales you have generated. 

Don't worry though! The state will let you know when your due dates change. :) 

Keep an eye out for notices in your mail from the State of South Carolina so that you don't miss any shift in deadlines.

What if a South Carolina sales tax filing date falls on a weekend or holiday?

The deadline is moved to the next business day, typically the Monday following the weekend or the day after the holiday. Where possible, we always suggest filing well before the holiday, of course ;). 

How do I file a South Carolina sales tax return?

Paper: Fill out form ST-3 (PDF) and mail it to the address on the form. 

Electronic: File online via MyDORWAY site and submit payment via EFT.

How do I correct a South Carolina sales tax return?

Paper: Use the same form but check the “Amended” box at the top left

Electronic: Amend the return within the MyDORWAY portal.

What happens if I don’t collect sales tax?

If you were required to collect sales taxes and failed to do so for whatever reason, that’s a big no-no! Ultimately the business will be held liable for the due tax. Always be sure to collect sales tax at the point of sale. Attempting to collect after the fact will be time-consuming and most likely unsuccessful. 

Protip: You are still responsible for remitting sales taxes even if you failed to collect them. 

What happens if I file or pay my sales tax return late?

South Carolina's Department of Taxation charges separate penalties for late filing vs late payment:

• Late filing results in a penalty of 5% per month of the tax due, up to a maximum of 25%.
• Late payment will result in a penalty of .5% per month of the tax due, up to a maximum of 25%.

Do I need to file a return if I don’t collect any sales tax in South Carolina?

Yep! South Carolina requires businesses to file a “Zero-Tax” return even when they have no sales during a taxing period.

If I close my business, do I need to file a final sales tax return?

Absolutely, South Carolina requires businesses to file a “Final sales tax” return when closing their doors.

Does the South Carolina Department of Revenue offer a discount for filing on time?

Yes, they do! South Carolina offers a 3% discount for the first $100 and a 2% discount thereafter, with a yearly cap of $3,100. No reason to not capitalize on this potential saving so be sure to file early!

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Now that we have covered all our bases for filing and paying sales taxes in the state of South Carolina, you should feel more at ease about the process.

Some things to remember:

• Due dates are important. If anything, file and pay your taxes early.
• There are three payment plans for filing and paying your sales taxes depending on how much you collect in sales tax on average in a month.
• You can file and pay your taxes electronically or by mail
• If you need to amend a return, you may do so electronically or by paper.
• If you don’t collect sales tax and you were supposed to, you (not the buyer) is liable to pay the sales tax to the state of South Carolina.
• You will have to pay late fees if you fail to file your tax return on time and/or if you fail to make your tax payment on time.
• Even if you collect no sales tax, you still need to file a return.
• You need to file a “Final sales tax report” when you close your business.

Now, you are ready to file and pay your sales tax in South Carolina. If you have any more questions, feel free to contact us.

Please note: This blog is for informational purposes only and the information is accurate as of 10/8/2019. If you want legal advice on sales tax law for your business, please contact a Sales Tax professional. Keep in mind that sales tax regulations and laws are subject to change at any time. While we strive to keep our blog current, this blog possibly may be out of date by the time you review it.