A business license is an excise tax levied on the privilege of doing business in the City of Clemson. The value of that privilege is measured by a business's gross income. Even though it is measured by gross income, a business license is not a sales, property, or income tax.

For more detailed information regarding the City of Clemson Business License, view the City's Business Licensing Ordinance.

Click here to download an overview of business licensing in the City of Clemson. 

South Carolina Code, Section 5.7.30 authorizes municipalities to levy a business license tax based on a business's gross income.

Any business physically located within the City of Clemson (resident business) is required to have a business license. Additionally, any business that is located outside of the City of Clemson (nonresident business) but comes into the City to do business is also required to have a business license. If you are opening a new business, buying an existing business, or transferring a business to your ownership, you will need a new business license under your name.

If you have answered YES to any item listed above, then a business license is required. The City of Clemson requires all businesses operating within the City limits to obtain a business license and to pay a business license tax. This requirement ensures that businesses operating in the City of Clemson comply with local and state regulations.

If you have marked NO to all items listed above, then a business license is not required.

Note: Tax-exempt organizations may be exempt from license requirement. Please provide proof of exemption.

Resident businesses are businesses that are physically located inside the City of Clemson and their business license fee is based on 100% of the gross income generated at their location.

Nonresident businesses are businesses that are located outside the City of Clemson but come into the City to do business. Their business license taxes are based on gross income generated within the City.

Resident and nonresident businesses are required to obtain a business license before doing business within the City limits. The annual business license tax is based on gross income that was collected inside the City of Clemson during the previous year or the projected gross for the remainder of the year for the initial license.

Contractors without a physical business location in the City of Clemson have the option to obtain a "Per Job License" for projects they will be working on in the City and paying upgrades to that license for subsequent jobs in the same license year. For those who work frequently in the City of Clemson and would like to keep an active license year to year, an annual license is also available.

Visit www.clemsonbusinesslicense.org to begin your online application. We will email you an invoice which can then be paid online. (Have an invoice already? Pay it here.)

Click here to download an application, which can be emailed to our office.

The State Standardized Business License Application can be used across the state for businesses that work in multiple jurisdictions.

Business licenses are valid from May 1 to April 30 each year. Businesses are required to renew their licenses at the beginning of every year based on prior calendar year gross revenue (January through December). Licenses must be renewed by April 30 each year to avoid penalties that are effective May 1.

Any W-2 employee can operate under your business license. Any 1099 or subcontractor must have their own separate business license. This would include subcontractors working for a general contractor, janitorial services, or catering type business that are hired by you to perform work on your behalf or for you.

Just remember that if the person or company is not on your payroll with all state and federal taxes taken out, they need their own license.

You need to make sure you have all proper state licenses (contractor, specialty, ABC, retail licenses, etc.) prior to applying for a City of Clemson business license.

Home based resident businesses need to submit an Application for Home Occupation to the Planning and Development Department.

Commercial business locations need to contact the Fire Marshal for a Life Safety Inspection prior to applying for the City of Clemson Business License (864) 653-2058.