The South Carolina State Agency that oversees the collection and reporting of State income taxes deducted from payroll checks is:
Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 125
Columbia, SC 29214
(803) 898-5300
South Carolina allows you to use the Federal W-4 form to calculate state income tax withholding.
Not all states allow salary reductions made under Section 125 cafeteria plans or 401(k) to be treated in the same manner as the IRS code allows. In South Carolina cafeteria plans are not taxable for income tax calculation; not taxable for unemployment insurance purposes. 401(k) plan deferrals are not taxable for income taxes; taxable for unemployment purposes.
In South Carolina supplemental wages are taxed at a 7% flat rate.
You must file your South Carolina State W-2s by magnetic media if you are have more than 25 employees and are required to file your federal W-2s by magnetic media.
The South Carolina State Unemployment Insurance Agency is:
Employment Security Commission
1550 Gadsden St.
P.O. Box 995
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 737-3070
The State of South Carolina taxable wage base for unemployment purposes is wages up to $7,000.00.
South Carolina requires Magnetic media reporting of quarterly wage reporting if the employer has at least 250 employees that they are reporting that quarter.
Unemployment records must be retained in South Carolina for a minimum period of five years. This information generally includes: name; social security number; dates of hire, rehire and termination; wages by period; payroll pay periods and pay dates; date and circumstances of termination.
The South Carolina State Agency charged with enforcing the state wage and hour laws is:
Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations
Office of Labor Services
P.O. Box 11329
3600 Forest Drive
Columbia, SC 29211-1329
(803) 734-4295
There is no provision for minimum wage in the State of South Carolina.
There is also no general provision in South Carolina State Law covering paying overtime in a non-FLSA covered employer.
South Carolina State new hire reporting requirements are that every employer must report every new hire and rehire. The employer must report the federally required elements of:
- Employee’s name
- Employee’s address
- Employee’s social security number
- Employer’s name
- Employers address
- Employer’s Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)
This information must be reported within 20 days of the hiring or rehiring.
The information can be sent as a W4 or equivalent by mail, fax or electronically.
There is a $25.00 penalty for a second offense late report and $500 for conspiracy in South Carolina.
The South Carolina new hire-reporting agency can be reached at 888-454-5294 or 803-898-9235
South Carolina does allow compulsory direct deposit but the employee’s choice of financial institution must meet federal Regulation E regarding choice of financial institutions.
South Carolina requires the following information on an employee’s pay stub:
- Gross and Net Earnings
- itemized deductions
- When to start Withholding? Next pay period after service.
- When to send Payment? Within 7 days of Payday.
- When to send Termination Notice? Within 20 days of termination.
- Maximum Administrative Fee? $3 per payment.
- Withholding Limits? Federal Rules under CCPA.