Welcome to the Online Business Service Center!
The Business Service Center administers the Business License, Local Accommodations Tax, and Hospitality Tax ordinances for Richland County. A business license is required by any person or entity prior to conducting business within unincorporated Richland County. This license is based on business activity and gross receipts.
Thank you for doing business in Richland County; we appreciate your business. Your business helps make Richland County a great place to live, work, and visit.
Starting a New Business?
Thinking of starting a new business? Check out Richland County's "Starting a New Business" webpage for more information.
Business Licenses: Online Calculations and Renewals
Renew online to save $10, save time, and ensure payment accuracy and delivery.
All County business licenses expire on April 30th; the deadline to renew without penalties is April 30th.
Click Check Your Calculations to verify your renewal fee calculations.
To renew online, click Online Renewal. You will need the Business ID and Location ID (which can be found on the renewal application or current business license), and the FEIN/SSN will be needed.
New businesses, opening last year, are not able to check calculations or begin the renewal process online the first year. Instructions for these businesses will be provided through email during January of each year.
Online Renewal Instructions:
1. Calculating or Renewing Business Licenses Online (Instructions)
Paper Renewal Form Instructions (2023 License Renewal):
1. Summary (Section 1)
2. Exemptions and Deductions (Section 2) 2023 Deductions Worksheet
3. Calculations (Section 3)
4. Decals (Section 4)
5. First Time Renewal (Section 5 - also provided to these businesses by email)
6. Closed Business (Section 6 - also see Closing Form)
7. Requirements and Certifications (Section 7)
To submit Deductions for consideration, use the Deductions Worksheet spreadsheet. (The Deductions Worksheet MUST be submitted at the same time as the business license application to be considered.
Hospitality Taxes
- Now able to pay online! Richland County is pleased to inform the business community that Richland County Hospitality Taxes may now be paid online. The credit cards accepted include Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. There is a $1.00 plus 1.7% transaction fee to pay online. Click here to pay online or obtain your paper vouchers today. (You will need your Hospitality Tax # and the FEIN/SSN that we have on file for your business.)
- To notify our office of change of information, such as change of contact, change of ownership, or change of location, please complete and email back an Update Form.
- For more information, click here to go to the County's Hospitality Tax webpage.
Local Accommodations Taxes - Paying Online
Businesses providing short-term accommodations can now pay the County's Local Accommodations Taxes Online. (You will need your business license number and the FEIN/SSN that we have on file for your business.)
Richland County Business Handbook
The Business Service Center updated the Richland County Business Handbook. This easy-to-read Business Handbook describes the County’s various requirements to do business in Richland County. The County strongly urges all businesses - and their bookkeepers or accountants - to be familiar with these requirements to help ensure they are operating lawfully.
General Information
Forms
County Codes
Dates & Deadlines
New! What you need to know about DBA's ("Doing Business As," fictitious names, trade names)
Residential Rental Property Registration
Click Residential Rental Property Registration for instructions and information on Landlord registration.
Other Information
Find What City Your Business Is In (or no city limits at all)
Find Your NAICS Code
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Used Terms
Regulatory Information Guides
Resources
Doing Business with Richland County
Looking for a Licensed Contractor?
Whenever you are having work done on your home, it is always a good idea to make sure that any contractor you use is properly licensed by the State and by the County BEFORE they start work. There are several places to look for licensed contractors.
- The State Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation is the State agency that licenses contractors. If you are looking for a residential contractor, you may select either "Contractors - Commercial" or "Residential Builders" from the drop-down list, and enter the company's name or the owner's name.
- The Better Business Bureau, which has an Accredited Business Directory online, is another good place to check out a company.
- The Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, which has a searchable Business Directory online, is yet another good place to look for a company.
Confused about Sales Tax Rates?
Knowing how much sales taxes to charge can be tricky. There are different kinds of taxes, charged in different situations, and different rates in different jurisdictions. Please see the Sales and Use Tax Chart showing the sales tax rates for different types of purchases in Richland County.
If you have questions about the local Hospitality Tax or the Local Accommodations Tax, please contact our office at bsc@richlandcountysc.gov or at 803-576-2287.
If you have questions about the Transportation Penny Tax, please e-mail transportationpenny@richlandcountysc.gov or call 803-766-5605.
If you have specific questions about the State sales tax or the State Accommodations Tax please call the State Department of Revenue Sales Tax Division at 803-896-1420.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests
All FOIA requests should be submitted in writing to the Richland County Ombudsman's Office by mail at PO Box 192, Columbia, SC 29202 or by e-mail at Ombudsman@richlandcountysc.gov.
Please be advised - S.C. law provides that it is a crime to knowingly obtain or use personal information from a public body for commercial solicitation.
Contact
Location:
1st floor of the County Administration Building
2020 Hampton Street, Suite 1050 (just inside the back door)
corner of Hampton and Harden Streets
- free parking is available in the parking lot behind the building
Contact information:
Mailing address: P.O. Box 192, Columbia, SC 29202
Phone: (803) 576-2287
Fax: (803) 576-2289
E-mail: bsc@richlandcountysc.gov
Website: www.richlandcountysc.gov/bsc
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
If you would like to anonymously report unlicensed businesses, please contact the Richland County Ombudsman's Office at 803-929-6000 or at Ombudsman@richlandcountysc.gov.
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