In South Carolina, your LLC name is required to have the suffix "Limited Liability Company" or "Limited Company," or a suffix such as "LLC," "LC," "L.L.C.," or "L.C."
Before we file your LLC, we will search for your LLC name availability.
You may want to file for a name that you like to be reserved but that may cost more and in most cases you will not have to.
That is exactly how an LLC is created at the state level. You will need to register your Articles of Organization. In South Carolina, the articles of organization which are normally a couple of pages long, require that a registered agent is assigned.
A registered agent, in South Carolina, may be yourself if you are an one member LLC. The function of the agent is to receive service of process for any suit that might be filed vs your LLC.
The operating agreement is required in every state because you need it to open a bank account and also need to notarize it and keep it to prove that you are the owner of the LLC. As discussed, the articles of organization, i.e., the LLC certificate does not have the
EIN: All South Carolina LLCs must have an EIN. You may have heard that if you are the sole member and you treat your LLC as a disregarded entity, you may not need it. However, you cannot open an LLC business bank account without an EIN, so you do need it. In addition, If your LLC has more than one member, you must obtain the Federal Tax ID also called an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Of course, you also need an EIN if your LLC will be an employer, treated as a corporation or if it has more than one member.
Business License: A business license is a business tax registration separate from other tax or licesning registrations. An LLC needs a business license.
State Tax Registration: In some states, the department of revenue may want you to register and obtain a tax number as a general number to identify you for taxes. Otherwise, there are 2 State Tax IDs: an State Employer Tax ID SEIN and a Sales Tax ID also called
a seller's permit.
State Income Taxes: Most states, as well as the State of South Carolina, require you to file a income tax return for your LLC. You do that as you file the federal tax return. Each member must pay his share of taxes if the LLC is treated as a partnership even in the case that an owner resides in another state.
In all states, if you are an LLC from another state, you will either have to register a new LLC in South Carolina or register as a foreign LLC. In both cases the fees are about the same and the same effect is effected.
From sole propr., LLC, partneship or Corp.: Each requires an entity certificate filing.
All businesses/entities need a business license and an EIN.
Selling/Buying wholesale or retail requires a seller's permit.
The art industry is a vibrant and ever-growing sector, with global sales of art and antiques reaching a staggering $50.1 billion in 2020. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the online art market has thrived, with sales surging to $12.4 billion in the same year. It seems that even in the face of adversity, people still crave the beauty and inspiration that art provides. Who says you can't put a price on creativity?
To operate your independent art business, you'll need to obtain certain licenses and permits. These may include:
It's important to research the specific requirements for your area to ensure you're operating legally. After all, you wouldn't want to be caught red-handed (or should we say, paint-handed?) without the proper paperwork.
Registering your business name and choosing a legal structure, such as an LLC or S-corp, can provide various benefits, including:
However, the choice ultimately depends on your specific needs and goals. It's wise to consult with a legal professional or accountant to determine the best path forward for your artistic endeavors.
Starting an independent art business requires some initial capital and equipment. You'll need to invest in:
The amount of capital required will vary depending on the scale of your operations and the materials you use. However, with a bit of creativity and resourcefulness, you can keep startup costs relatively low. Just remember, you're investing in your passion – and that's priceless!