Bookkeeping Permit Requirements in Columbia, SC

Complete permit and license guide for starting a bookkeeping in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.

Verified 2026-09-03 6 stops $75–$250 est. 1–3 weeks to register business and obtain all required licenses
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

Federal — start here

2 stops

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS, obtained instantly online. Sole proprietors without employees may use their SSN, but an EIN is recommended for privacy and professional credibility.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

  2. IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN)

    Required for any paid preparer who prepares or assists in preparing federal tax returns for clients. If your bookkeeping practice includes any federal tax return preparation, you must obtain and renew your PTIN annually. Bookkeeping-only services (no tax return preparation) do not require a PTIN.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online at IRS.gov)

State of South Carolina

2 stops

  1. South Carolina Business Entity Registration

    Bookkeeping and accounting businesses in South Carolina register with the SC Secretary of State only if structured as an LLC, corporation, limited partnership or limited liability partnership; the Secretary of State's office states that sole proprietorships and general partnerships do not file with it. South Carolina does not register DBAs at all — SC Business One Stop directs businesses to their municipality or county, where a trade name is normally recorded on the local business license rather than filed as a separate registration. An LLC is commonly chosen for liability protection.

    Official government source

    $110 to file LLC articles of organization with the Secretary of State (S.C. Code Section 33-44-1204); an LLC name reservation is $25 if you want one. There is no state DBA filing fee because South Carolina does not register DBAs.Not published by the Secretary of State. Filing online through the state's business filings system is faster than paper — confirm current processing time when you file.

  2. South Carolina Retail License / Sales Tax Registration (if applicable)

    Bookkeeping and accounting are not among the services South Carolina taxes: S.C. Code Section 12-36-910(B) enumerates the taxable services (laundering, dry cleaning, dyeing and pressing; electricity; communications; prepaid wireless) and professional bookkeeping is not one of them. You need a Retail License only if you also sell tangible personal property — printed materials, software on physical media, or other goods. Registering a business tax account on MyDORWAY itself is free.

    Official government source

    $50 one-time retail licence tax per permanent business location if a Retail License is required (S.C. Code Section 12-36-510(A)(1)); the licence does not have to be renewed while the same taxpayer keeps operating at the same location. The statewide sales and use tax rate is 6%, and counties may add 1% local sales tax where voters have approved it.Not published by SCDOR. Applying through MyDORWAY is the fastest route — confirm current issuance time when you apply ([email protected], 1-844-898-8542).

City of Columbia / Richland County

2 stops

  1. City of Columbia Business License

    All businesses operating within the City of Columbia must obtain a business license from the city's Business Licensing Division. For a bookkeeping or accounting service this is a straightforward administrative registration — no local occupational certification applies beyond the license itself.

    Official government source

    Based on gross income and the NAICS rate class, per the SC Business License Tax Standardization Act (SC Code 6-1-400 et seq.) — no flat fee; use the city's business license calculatorLicense year runs May 1–April 30 (SC Code 6-1-400 et seq.), with renewal season opening in February; the city publishes no standard processing time

  2. City of Columbia Home Occupation Form (home-based bookkeeping)

    A bookkeeping business run from a Columbia residence must submit a home occupation form as part of its City of Columbia business license account — the city's Business Licensing FAQ states a home occupation requires the form. Zoning compatibility for the home-based use is administered by Planning & Development. Typical restrictions include no client foot traffic, no exterior signage and limited storage of business materials, which an online bookkeeping practice usually meets easily.

    Official government source

    No separate home-occupation fee is published; the cost is the city business license fee, based on gross income and the city's rate class.Fastest through the Business Licensing Self-Service Portal; the city warns that mailed renewals can take 6–8 weeks between February and June.

Terminus

Open for business — est. $75–$250 · 1–3 weeks to register business and obtain all required licenses

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