The good news is that South Carolina does not charge a fee to apply for a seller’s permit. However, a security deposit that fluctuates according to the volume of sales tax you are anticipated to gather over the course of a reporting period will be required of you. Security deposits can be as high as $50,000.
You must estimate your anticipated sales tax due for a reporting period in order to establish the size of your security deposit. Depending on the sales volume of your company, the reporting period is normally a quarter (three months), but it can also be monthly or annually. Three times your anticipated sales tax liability for the reporting period is the security deposit amount.
Moreover, depending on the kind of business you run in South Carolina, you might need to apply for a business license. The local government issues business permits, and the costs vary depending on the area and industry. To learn whether you require a business license and how much it will cost, get in touch with your local government.
You can be qualified for tax-exempt status in South Carolina if you work for a nonprofit or a government organization. You must submit an application to the Department of Revenue together with proof of your IRS tax-exempt status in order to become tax-exempt.
Making tax-exempt purchases for resale in South Carolina is not necessary to have a resale certificate. However, to demonstrate that you are a legitimate business and qualified for tax-exempt purchases, you might need to give the seller a copy of your seller’s permit or other supporting evidence.
You must submit an application to the Department of Revenue and provide proof of your tax-exempt status in order to receive a SC tax-exempt number. If accepted, a tax-exempt number will be provided to you, which you can use to make tax-exempt transactions for your company.
Conclusion: In South Carolina, obtaining a seller’s permit is free, but you will have to put down a security deposit, the amount of which will depend on your anticipated sales tax burden. You might also need to apply for tax-exempt status, if necessary, and get a company license.