Welcome to the Online Business Service Center!
Thank you for visiting our online office today. We're glad you're here. We hope you find this information helpful and hope you find the information you are looking for. If not, please let us know so we can add this information.
It is the Business Service Center's mission to serve Richland County's diverse business community with outstanding customer service while
- collecting business-related revenues fairly, equitably, and conveniently;
- issuing business-related licenses and permits accurately and promptly;
- enforcing the County's business requirements equitably, effectively, and efficiently; and
- educating the business community regarding those requirements proactively and collaboratively.
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.
To renew online, or check your calculations, click here: Online Renewal
Announcements
Richland County Hospitality Taxes - Online Payments Now Available!
Richland County is most 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.
Richland County business licenses expired December 31 - Renew today!
All Richland County business licenses expired on December 31. Renewing for each year's license begins on January 1 (online). (Business licenses require that revenues from all of the previous year be reported.)
1. Review the Checklist for Business License Renewals to SAVE MONEY and AVOID PENALTIES by avoiding having your renewal application and payment returned or delayed.
2. Use the Online Renewal to renew online OR to calculate your fees online.
3. Click here for Instructions on completing the Business License Renewal Application.
Richland County Business Handbook
The Business Service Center has 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 accountants - to be familiar with these requirements to help ensure they are operating lawfully.
Online Services
General Information
Currently Licensed Businesses*
* Please remember that all business licenses expire on Dec. 31. The deadline to renew is March 15. This list of licensed businesses is not updated until after the backlog of license applications have been completed, usually around mid-April. The list is then updated periodically through the year.
2017 licensed businesses, sorted alphabetically (as of 05/24/2017)
2017 licensed construction contractors (as of 05/24/2017)
2017 licensed businesses, sorted by business activity groups (as of 05/24/2017)
2016 licensed businesses, sorted alphabetically (as of 12/13/2016)
2016 licensed construction contractors (as of 12/13/2016)
2016 licensed businesses, sorted by business activity groups (as of 12/13/2016)
Other Information
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.
- To see if the company has a current Richland County business license, please scroll to the links above for Currently Licensed Businesses.
- 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 Option Sales Tax, the local Transportation Tax, the local Hospitality Tax, or the Local Accommodations Tax, please contact the Business Service Center at bsc@richlandcountysc.gov or at 803-576-2287.
If you have questions about the Transportation Penny Tax, please contact Rob Perry at 803-576-2050.
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
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 192, Columbia, SC 29202
Phone number: (803) 576-2287
Fax number: (803) 576-2289
E-mail address: bsc@richlandcountysc.gov
Website: www.richlandcountysc.gov/bsc
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.
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM