Filing your South Carolina sales tax return is simple with the state’s online system. You can file and pay directly through the MyDORWAY website, as long as your business is registered to collect and remit sales tax.
This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of filing online so you can submit returns on time, avoid penalties, and stay compliant with South Carolina’s sales tax rules.
What You Need Before Filing
Before filing your sales tax return, you must prepare specific records to ensure your report is accurate. Here are the standard documents required to file a sales tax return in South Carolina:
- South Carolina Retail License (Sales Tax Permit) – You’re required to have a South Carolina Retail License to file your sales tax return. Once your registration with the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) is approved, you should receive your temporary login details at the email address you provided.From there, you may set up your new password and wait for the paper copy of your Retail License. You should receive the copy at the mailing address you provided upon registration.
- MyDORWay Account Log-in Details – The primary way to file your South Carolina sales tax return online is by logging into your MyDORWay account. However, to access the site, ensure you have your log-in credentials ready (e.g., your username and password).
- Total Sales – Gather your total revenue during the filing period. This includes all sales, whether they’re taxable or not. Even if you currently have no sales records, the state still requires you to file a return.
- Taxable Sales – Compile the total taxable sales your business made within the filing period. You’ll need this data to determine how much sales tax you owe and must pay for the filing period.
- Taxable Purchases – Verify the total amount of taxable purchases your business spent within the filing period. This applies to both in-state and out-of-state transactions.
- Local Sales Tax Report – South Carolina requires businesses to file a local sales tax report as well. This means you must list all your sales in each city, county, or other local jurisdiction in South Carolina.
- Bank Account and Routing Number – Select which bank account you want to use for paying the due taxes in your report. Prepare your bank details and routing number ahead of time.
- Filing Frequency Schedule – The state assigns a specific due date for every registered business based on sales tax liability. To find out your designated schedule, you can check your South Carolina Retail License. You can also log into your MyDORWay account to check your schedule.
Step-by-Step: How to File South Carolina Sales Tax Online
The online filing process is a logical progression of data entry and verification. While the exact screen layouts may eventually evolve with new e-filing platforms, the core workflow remains constant. Step 1. Go to the state sales tax portal website – MyDORWay Step 2. Enter your Account Credentials: Log in using your username and password. Check your shared email/phone number and then enter the OTP, when applicable.
Step 3. Prepare your Ecommerce Sales Tax Data (e.g., Taxes Report from Shopify).
Step 4. On the dashboard, scroll down to the “Sales and Use Tax” section and click “File Return”
Step 5. On the actual tax return form, enter the Gross Sales based on your Ecommerce Sales Tax Report. After that, the other necessary fields will automatically compute. Click Next on the bottom right.
Step 6. Choose or add the location(s) where sales are made from the given location list based on your sales tax report.
Step 7. After that, review the summary. The entered data should match the collected tax on your Ecommerce Sales Tax report. Finally, click “Next” after confirming all information is correct.
Step 8. Enter your password again to confirm submission.
Step 9. Keep a copy of the return and/or payment confirmation for your records. This serves as proof of successful submission.
Step 10. Save the confirmation in your preferred location for recordkeeping purposes. Keeping online records using Google Drive is a common option.
Helpful Tip: You can always click on “Save and Submit Later” to avoid losing your progress. This is useful in case the filing process is interrupted by internet issues, website downtime, or other disruptions.
NOTE: If you’re stuck or need more assistance, you can watch the state’s official video instructions.
Due Dates
Generally, in South Carolina, your sales tax return due dates vary depending on your sales tax liability. Here are the filing due dates that the SCDOR may assign your business to follow.
| FREQUENCY | REQUIREMENTS | REPORTING PERIOD | DUE DATE |
| Monthly | Taxpayers generally must file sales tax returns monthly | Every month | 20th day of the month following the reporting period |
| Quarterly | $100 collected sales tax or less per month Taxpayer must request permission from the SCDOR to file quarterly |
|
|
| 28-Day Returns | Taxpayer must request permission from the SCDOR to file 28-Day Returns | Every 28 days | Due by the 20th day following the 28-day period |
| Annually | Taxpayer must request permission from the SCDOR to file annually | Due on or before January 20 each calendar year |
- Send a web message through your MyDORWay account
- Email your request to SalesTax@dor.sc.gov.
Timely Filing Discount
Some states offer businesses a discount for the timely collection, filing, and remittance of sales tax. In South Carolina, the state allows a discount on timely reported sales tax if the following conditions are met:- Total tax due is less than $100: The discount is 3% of the tax due.
- Total tax due is $100 or more: The discount is 2% of the tax due.
- Timely filed paper returns: Discount is capped at $3,000 per fiscal year.
- Timely filed electronic returns: Discount is capped at $3,100 per fiscal year.
Filing Amended Returns
In case you need to correct a previously submitted return, you can use the MyDORWay website’s “Amend” feature. To do this, follow these instructions:- Step 1: Log in to your MyDORway account.
- Step 2: Find the correct tax account under the Accounts tab
- Step 3: After that, click on “View Returns and Periods.”
- Step 4: Next, click the “Returns” tab and then scroll to find the return you wish to amend.
- Step 5: Click “View or Amend Return” and then select “Amend” to proceed.
Refunds
If you overpaid your sales tax return, the SCDOR allows you to request a refund. However, you must make the claim no later than 3 years from the time you filed the return or 2 years from the date you paid the tax, whichever is later. Here are 2 methods to request a sales tax refund from the SCDOR.- Method 1 – Request a Refund Online:
- Log in to your MyDORWay account and then select the “Accounts” tab.
- Scroll to the “Sales Tax” account section and then click “More Account Options”
- Click “File a Claim for Refund”
- After that, you must indicate the filing period, the amount of refund, and your contact information.
- If applicable, add any relevant documentation to support your claim.
- Choose how you would like to receive your refund. In general, the SCDOR recommends using the direct deposit method to receive your refund faster.
- Review the claim summary and click “Submit.”
- Method 2 – Request a Refund by Mail:
- First, download and then fill up the Form ST-14 – Sales & Use Tax Refund Claim.
- If applicable, prepare any additional supporting documents to support your claim.
- If you previously amended a return and overpaid your taxes, then you must attach a copy of your amended return.
- Review the amended return. Once done, mail all the documents to the address provided on the form.
Filing Zero Returns in South Carolina
Even if you have no sales tax to report and pay, you must file a sales tax return. To file a zero return in South Carolina, you must write “0” (zero) on the appropriate fields of your return.Other Filing Methods in South Carolina
If you’re having difficulties filing your South Carolina sales tax return online, you can try other options.- File with TaxHero – Let expert accountants in TaxHero prepare your sales tax returns for you. We’ll take everything off your hands so that you can spend your time more efficiently managing your business.
- File by Mail – Filing by paper is only available to taxpayers with less than $15,000 sales tax liability. To file by mail, you must download and fill out the Form ST-3. Once completed, mail the document to the address provided on the form.