Utilities
Automobile
Transportation
Information Sources
State Requirements
Federal Requirements
Local Requirements
Charleston Area Business Assistance Programs
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Utilities
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| Gas |
SCE&G |
843-554-7234 |
| Electricity |
SCE&G |
843-554-7234 |
| Telephone |
Bell South |
843-780-2800 |
| Commissioner of Public Works |
843-727-6800 |
| Water |
Mt. Pleasant Waterworks |
843-884-9626 |
| Berkley Co-op |
Moncks Corner |
843-572-5454 |
| Berkley Co-op |
Goose Creek |
843-553-5020 |
| Berkley Co-op |
John's Island |
843-559-2458 |
| Dorchester Electric |
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843-747-5221 |
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Automobile
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Driver License
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1-800-442-1368 |
| Tags/Registration |
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1-800-442-1368 |
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Transportation
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| Airport |
Charleston International |
843-767-7009 |
| Buses |
Charleston Transit |
843-747-0922 |
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Information Sources
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| Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce |
843-577-2510 |
| Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau |
843-853-8000 |
| Charleston County Emergency Preparedness |
843-554-5951 |
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State Requirements
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Secretary of State:If you plan to incorporate your business or operate as a partnership you will need to notify the Secretary of State to file your assumed name or the name you will be doing business under. Filling for incorporation in South Carolina must be done by an Attorney.
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| Corporate Charter |
(803) 734-2161 |
| Trademarks/Service Marks |
(803) 734-2158 |
| Business Name searches are conducted by the Secretary of State Office. |
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Sales and Use Tax Permit:Issued by the Dept of Revenue and Taxation, required if collecting sales tax.
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| Charleston Office |
(843) 852-3600 |
| Initial Licensing |
(803) 737-4872 |
| Quarterly Returns |
(803) 737-4743 |
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SC State Retail License: enable a retailer to purchase tax-free. Anyone selling any kind of product needs to obtain this license when securing your sales and use tax permit.
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| Charleston Office |
(803) 792-7046 |
| Tax Commission |
(803)737-4872 |
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Dept of Revenue and Taxation: For information on State Income Tax regulations call 852-3600. Employers are typically responsible for state collections & payments:
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1.) State income tax withheld from employees wages. Proprietorships, and corporations with employees are required to file state tax reports.
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2.) (SUTA) State Unemployment Tax.
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SC Employment Security Commission:If you will be hiring anyone in your business you must notify the ESC. They will inform you of what forms you need to file with their agency.
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| Charleston |
(803) 792-7046 |
| Columbia, 1550 Gadsen St, Columbia, SC 29201 |
(803) 737-2400 |
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Workman's Compensation: Contact your local insurance agent or SC workman's Compensation Office
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| Compensation Office |
(803) 737-5700 |
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Alcohol Beverage Service: If you will be serving or selling alcoholic beverages in the course of doing business you must contact these agencies:
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| Permits |
(803) 765-5723 |
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Federal Requirements
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Internal Revenue Services: For information on federal tax regulations call 1-800-829-1040 or visit the local office at Rivergate Center, La Cross Rd. N. Charleston. Employers are typically responsible for three types of federal collections & payments:
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1. Income tax withheld from employees wages. Proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations with employees are required to file federal tax reports.
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2. (FICA) Employer and Employee Social Security Taxes. Every business with one or more employees is required by law to
withhold Federal Income tax as well as Social Security Taxes from the wages paid to employees.
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3. (FUTA) Federal Unemployment Tax.
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Immigration an Naturalization Service: Every employer must have an eligibility Verification Form(I-9) completed and on file for each employee. For assistance or copies of this form call INS at 1-800-870-FORM.
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U.S. Dept of Labor: Employment Standards Division, Labor Dept., Landmark Center, 3600 Forest Drive, Columbia, SC 29211 (803) 734-9600
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Occupational Safety & Health (OSHA):OSHA requires that if your firm employs more than 10 people, you maintain a record of on the job injuries on OSHA Form 200 which must be available for inspection and retained for five years. For more information contact: OSHA. US Dept of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave, NW, Room S1212, Washington, DC 20210
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Local Requirements
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City Business License:Most municipalities in South Carolina require you to obtain a business license in order to
conduct business.
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Charleston
75 Calhoun St
724-3711
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N Charleston
4900 La Cross Rd
554-5700
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Mt. Pleasant
100 Ann Edwards
849-2786
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Summerville
104 Civic Center
871-6000
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County Business License: If you plan to conduct business outside city limits but within the county you must obtain a license from the entities listed below.
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Charleston County
723-6705
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Dorchester County
832-0018
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Berkley County
not required
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Boards of Architectural Review: If you plan to do physical renovation to your facility it must first be approved by a board in the following communities:
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Downtown Charleston Contact: Preservation Planner, 75 Calhoun St, Charleston 724-3779
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Mt. Pleasant Contact: Commercial Design & Review Board, 100 Ann Edwards Lane, Mt. Pleasant 884-1229
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Planning & Zoning: For information pertaining to whether your business can operate in the chosen location you must check with your local zoning ordinances
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Charleston
724-3781
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N. Charleston
554-5700
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Mt. Pleasant
884-1229
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Summerville
871-6000
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Charleston County
740-3200
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Berkeley County
723-3800 ext. 4095
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Building & Fire Inspections: Before you can operate in a specific business location you must obtain a certificate of occupancy issued by the local building inspections department. Application is made through the Business License Office. The Building Inspector and Fire Inspector will come and look at the business location.
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Charleston Area Business Assistance Programs
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USC Small Business Development Center
5900 Core Drive, N. Charleston, SC 29406
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843-740-6160 |
Small Business Administrative (SBA)
284 king St, Charleston, SC 29403
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843-727-4668 |
Small Business Resource Center
284 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
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843-853-3900 |
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)
284 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
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843-724-4778 |
Charleston Minority Business Development Center
284 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
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843-937-0011 |
Center for Entrepreneurship
College of Charleston, 66 George St, Charleston, SC
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843-973-6700 |
Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce
81 Mary St, Charleston, SC 29402
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843-723-1773 |
Charleston Local Department Corporation
75 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC
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843-724-3796 |
BCD Council of Governments
5290 Rivers Avenue, Ste 400, N. Charleston, SC 29406
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843-529-0400 |
DREAM
Downtown Restoration Enhancement and Management Corp
P.O. Box 370, Summerville, SC 29484
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843-821-7260 |
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