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South Carolina nonprofit corporation cost

Official fees for forming and keeping a nonprofit corporation in South Carolina, from South Carolina Secretary of State, and the IRS fee for tax exemption.

1 year$300
3 years$300
5 years$300

Formation, the IRS Form 1023-EZ fee and recurring state fees and taxes. Excludes registered agent costs. Adjust in the calculator.

South Carolina nonprofit corporation cost at a glance

Forming a nonprofit corporation in South Carolina costs $300 to start: $25 in state filing fees plus the $275 IRS Form 1023-EZ user fee. After that, South Carolina charges no annual report fee. Over five years the state's own charges and the IRS Form 1023-EZ fee come to $300, the 3rd lowest of the 51 states with full nonprofit corporation figures here (the median is $399). The IRS user fee is $275 for Form 1023-EZ or $600 for Form 1023. Registered agent service and local licenses are extra.

Line by line

ItemAmountOfficial source
Formation filing fee$25businessfilings.sc.gov
Annual or biennial report fee
Applies to a Chapter 31 nonprofit exempt from income tax under IRC Section 501.
$0dor.sc.gov
Foreign registration (another state's nonprofit corporation)
Non Profit - Foreign Application for a Certificate of Authority.
$10businessfilings.sc.gov
IRS user fee, Form 1023-EZ
Form 1023-EZ, the streamlined application for smaller organizations.
$275www.irs.gov
IRS user fee, Form 1023
Form 1023, IRS application for tax-exempt status.
$600www.irs.gov

What to know

How to form a nonprofit corporation in South Carolina

  1. Check the name. Search the South Carolina Secretary of State business records to confirm the name is free. State filing page.
  2. File the articles of incorporation. The South Carolina Secretary of State charges $25 to form a nonprofit corporation.
  3. Name a registered agent. The agent needs a physical address in South Carolina. You can serve as your own.
  4. Get an EIN. The IRS issues it free on its own website.
  5. Apply for federal tax exemption. The IRS user fee is $275 for Form 1023-EZ or $600 for Form 1023. IRS user fee page.
  6. Stay in good standing. South Carolina charges no annual report fee. See What to know above for the details that are easy to miss.

Other business types in South Carolina

An LLC costs $110 to start, with no annual report fee. A corporation costs $135 to start, then a report fee of at least $25 a year. Compare them in the calculator.

Registering an out-of-state nonprofit corporation in South Carolina

A nonprofit corporation formed in another state registers in South Carolina as a foreign nonprofit corporation. The South Carolina Secretary of State charges $10 for the registration.

Common questions

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

$300 to start: $25 in state filing fees plus the $275 IRS Form 1023-EZ user fee, and South Carolina then charges no annual report fee.

What does a nonprofit corporation in South Carolina cost over five years?

$300 in state fees and taxes plus the IRS Form 1023-EZ fee, counting formation and every recurring charge.

How much is the IRS fee for a nonprofit tax exemption?

The IRS user fee is $275 for Form 1023-EZ or $600 for Form 1023.

How much does it cost to register a foreign nonprofit corporation in South Carolina?

$10, paid to the South Carolina Secretary of State.

Compare with nearby states in cost

See every state ranked

Guides

What you'll need to start a nonprofit in South Carolina

  1. 1

    File your Articles of Incorporation

    $25

    The document that creates your nonprofit with the state of South Carolina.

    Do it yourself

    File with South Carolina Secretary of State. You pay only the state fee.

    Have it done

    • LegalZoomfrom $99 + state feestate filing (Articles of Incorporation), name clearance, tax consultation. IRS 501(c)(3) application not included
    • Registered Agents Inc$300 + state feestate filing, registered agent (1 yr), domain (1 yr). Registered agent $200/yr after year 1; IRS Form 1023-EZ $275 or Form 1023 $600 paid separately

    Lowest listed price first, from each company’s own pricing page.

  2. 2

    Name a registered agent

    $0 yourself, or $99 to $200 a year

    A person or company with a street address in South Carolina who receives legal and state mail for the nonprofit.

    Do it yourself

    Be your own agent if you have a street address in South Carolina.

    Have it done

    • ZenBusiness$99/yrregistered agent (first year). Renews at $199/yr
    • Zenind$99/yrregistered address, mail scanning and forwarding. $99 per year
    • Registered Agents Inc$200/yrannual report filing. $200 per year

    Lowest listed price first, from each company’s own pricing page.

  3. 3

    Get an EIN (tax ID)

    Free

    The federal number banks and the IRS use for your nonprofit.

    Do it yourself

    Apply on IRS.gov. The IRS states you can get one "in minutes for free".

  4. 4

    Apply for federal tax exemption

    $275 or $600

    Nonprofit corporations are organized to do charity, education, religious, literary, or scientific work.

    Do it yourself

    IRS Form 1023-EZ or Form 1023: $275 for the 1023-EZ, $600 for the full 1023, per the IRS.

  5. 5

    File the annual report

    $0

    The recurring filing that keeps the nonprofit in good standing.

  6. 6

    Open a business bank account

    $0 a month

    Keeps business money separate from personal money. Banks ask for your EIN.

    Options

    • Bluevine$0/mono minimum balance, no overdraft fees. Opening deposit: no minimum balance requirement
    • Mercury$0/mono minimum balance, no account opening fee. Opening deposit: none stated
    • Relay$0/mono minimum balance. Grow $30/month; opening deposit none (no minimum balance)

    Lowest listed price first, from each company’s own pricing page.

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