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The South Carolina Code authorizes cities to levy a business license tax based on gross income. A business license is not a sales, property or income tax, although it is calculated based on gross income. The City of Greenville’s business license ordinance has a fee structure with 22 rate classifications. The fee has a base rate which is a flat amount for the first $2,000 generated in gross receipts and an incremental rate which is a dollar amount charged per $1,000 in gross receipts generated greater than $2,000.

One significant challenge that many small business owners have is finding the necessary capital to get started. After opening for business, there may be a need for additional financing to expand or in these recessionary times, to maintain operations. Other concerns may relate to the ability to get financing with a less than favorable credit history. There are a variety of loan programs available through federal, state and local level agencies that can help.