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The Department of Consumer Affairs Joins South Carolina Business One Stop - Press Conference
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(Columbia, SC) – For the average business person, understanding what licenses and permits are needed to do business in South Carolina can be complicated and time-consuming. For those businesses extending credit to the public, not having the correct information filed with the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs can cost thousands and sometimes, millions of dollars in penalties and roll-backs. Now these businesses are able to register online with the Department of Consumer Affairs through South Carolina Business One Stop and avoid non-compliance.
On the eve of its second anniversary, South Carolina Business One Stop (SCBOS) is pleased to announce that the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) has joined the SCBOS team. As of May 5th, businesses extending consumer credit over 18 percent or generate more than $150,000 in credit sales may file through SCBOS.
"Offering the online convenience of SCBOS to this group of business people is undoubtedly beneficial to them as well as our agency. With the average time of 10 minutes to complete the application and filing, the business person saves time and money as well as easily complies with the law," said Brandolyn Thomas Pinkston, SCDCA Administrator. She also noted that the Maximum Rate filing is the first SCBOS service to be offered in real time, with no human intervention.
"If South Carolina businesses aren't aware of SCBOS, they are certainly missing a benefit provided to them by the State of South Carolina," S. Hunter Howard, president and chief executive officer of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, commented. "The addition of SCDCA is just one more reason why business needs to know about SCBOS."
As part of the Consumer Protection Code Revision Act of 1983, creditors who wish to charge an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) in excess of 18 percent must file a Maximum Rate Schedule with SCDCA. Previously, creditors had to submit a paper form to SCDCA in order to file and pay the $40 licensing fee. Now these businesses will be able to use SCBOS to file and pay online from their own computers.
With the addition of SCDCA's Maximum Rate license to SCBOS, the business consumer has yet another reason to use SCBOS to complete transactions with the state of South Carolina.
"Eliminating repetitious transactions with state government and making critical governmental and regulatory agencies easily accessible to small businesses are two of our goals,” Secretary of State Mark Hammond notes. “The Secretary of State’s Office and partner agencies have moved beyond the basics of registering a business name and issuing a sales tax license. We now offer a broader range of licenses, registrations and permits, with the bonus of around-the-clock accessibility."
Business owners and professionals currently not using SCBOS can simply add their business through the SCBOS Web site, in order to take advantage of the ease of online filing. New business owners wishing to apply for the Maximum Rate license can complete the majority of the state filings required online through SCBOS and apply for the license.
In January of this year, SCBOS also launched online Alcohol Beverage Licenses (ABL) Renewals. Using their ABL file number, businesses can log onto SCBOS and renew their license in five minutes online. Unlike the paper ABL process, which requires payment with a check or cash, users have the added convenience of using a credit card to make a payment.
"The Department of Revenue is very proud to be a part of SCBOS and its mission to the business community," commented Ray Stevens, Director of the Department of Revenue. "The SCBOS impact is creating a new synergy among state agencies to create a unique government-to-business portal for our customers."
"Growing SCBOS to be a full-service platform for South Carolina businesses is an important tool that will streamline government processes and ease the regulatory burden for businesses. This effort goes a long way to enhance our state's business-friendly environment," said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.
For more information about SCBOS, please visit www.scbos.com. For more information about the Maximum Rate schedule, visit http://www.scconsumer.gov/licensing/maximum_rate.htm.
For additional information, please contact:
Norman Davis
Program Manager
South Carolina Business One Stop
davisn@sctax.org
(803) 920-6953
Alice Brooks
Director of Public Information
SC Department of Consumer Affairs
3600 Forest Drive
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 734-4190
abrooks@dca.state.sc.us
Reneé Daggerhart
Media Relations Director
South Carolina Secretary of State's Office
Office - (803) 734-0629
Fax - (803) 734-1661
rdaggerhart@sos.sc.gov
Adrienne Fairwell
Public Information Director
SC Department of Revenue
PO Box 125
Columbia, SC 29214
O: (803) 898-5287
F: (803) 898-5446
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