South Carolina sales tax guide for SaaS businesses

Is SaaS taxable in South Carolina?

South Carolina taxes SaaS, but taxes almost no digital goods, with a notable exception for streaming video, which is determined by the state to be a taxable communication service.

However, it’s important to note that not all states treat SaaS the same way. In fact, the taxability of SaaS can vary greatly from state to state. And as more and more businesses move to cloud-based services and software, states are realizing that they need to update their tax laws to keep up with these changes.

It’s essential for SaaS providers to stay informed of sales tax regulations in the jurisdictions where they operate to avoid underreporting, overcharging, or other costly compliance issues. This can be a complex and time-consuming process, but it’s necessary to avoid penalties and other legal issues.

How to determine if your product is taxable in South Carolina

When it comes to determining whether your SaaS product is taxable in South Carolina, you need to first accurately classify your product under state law. It can be helpful to consult a tax professional to ensure you’re properly determining your product’s taxability in South Carolina.

Additionally, for a seller to be required to collect sales tax in South Carolina, they must have sales tax nexus in the state. Nexus refers to a connection or minimum presence a seller must have in a state to be subject to the state’s sales tax laws.

There are different types of nexus:

• Physical Nexus: This occurs when a business has a physical presence in a state, such as offices, warehouses, or employees.
• Economic Nexus: This form of nexus is based on sales or transaction thresholds within a state, regardless of physical presence.

Economic nexus in South Carolina is defined as a seller with a gross revenue of at least $100,000 within the state during a calendar year. 

If your business meets any of these nexus requirements, you will be required to collect and remit sales tax on your taxable offerings in South Carolina.

Sales tax compliance in South Carolina

Complying with South Carolina’s sales tax laws can be a complex process, especially for businesses operating in multiple states. However, there are several steps businesses can take to ensure compliance when selling SaaS products in South Carolina:

• Register for a sales tax permit: All businesses with nexus in South Carolina must register for a sales tax permit.
• Collect sales tax: Once you have your sales tax permit, you need to collect the appropriate amount of sales tax on taxable transactions, including any taxable SaaS products and digital goods.
• File sales tax returns: Businesses must file periodic sales tax returns, typically on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis, depending on the sales volume. When filing the return, you need to report the total sales and taxable sales, as well as the sales tax collected during the reporting period.
• Remit collected sales tax: Along with filing your sales tax return, you must also remit the collected sales tax to the jurisdiction. Failure to do so could result in penalties and interest charges.

By taking a proactive approach to sales tax compliance, businesses can minimize the risk of costly penalties and ensure smooth operations in South Carolina and beyond.