Analysis suggests business license reform

An economic analysis points up problems with the current structure of the business license tax in South Carolina. The state Home Builders Association calls attention to a study by Dr. Russell Sobel, economic professor at The Citadel. Sobel believes the current system damages South Carolina’s economy and local governments. According to the Home Builders, businesses must now apply for and receive a license for nearly every county and municipality where they work. A single, small business that is a local service provider in a metro area, such as Columbia or Charleston, would have to have as many as 30 different licenses to serve their entire metro area. Sobel and others who support change want the General Assembly to make business license tax reform a priority.