SmallBizHandbookSmallBizHandbook

South Carolina New Hire Reporting Requirements (2026)

Last updated: 2026-10-12 · South Carolina's rules were checked against the state's own site and the federal OCSE reference guide on 2026-10-12

South Carolina employers must report every new or rehired employee to the South Carolina Department of Social Services — Child Support Services Division within 20 days after the employee's first day of work (S.C. Code § 43-5-598). That matches the federal 20-day limit. Reporting independent contractors is optional. Besides the 7 federal data elements, South Carolina requires 1 more item.

Deadline
20 days
same as federal
Report contractors?
Optional
Rehire rule
60+ days gone
federal rule
Extra required data
1 item
beyond the federal 7

South Carolina new hire reporting rules

South Carolina new hire reporting

South Carolina Department of Social Services — Child Support Services Division

20
days

Deadline: Within 20 days after the employee's first day of work (S.C. Code § 43-5-598).

Electronic filers may instead send twice-monthly transmissions 12–16 days apart. The source doesn't say business or calendar days — count calendar days to be safe.

What to report

7 federal data elements (every state)
  • Employee name
  • Employee address
  • Employee Social Security number
  • Date of hire (first day the employee performed services for pay)
  • Employer name
  • Employer address
  • Employer FEIN (same FEIN used for quarterly wage reports)

Plus South Carolina requires:

  • Employee date of birth

Optional (requested, not required):

  • Employer phone number

How to file

Open SC reporting site ↗

Methods: Online · TXT/CSV file upload · Fax · Mail

Phone
888-454-5294
Fax
803-898-9100
Email
scnewhire@dss.sc.gov
Mail
SC Department of Social Services, Child Support Services Division, P.O. Box 1469, Columbia, SC 29202

Official SC requirements page

Independent contractors

Contractor reports optional / encouraged

Optional.

Rehires & recalls

Federal rule: report workers rehired after a separation of at least 60 consecutive days.

Penalty

$25 for the second offense and each one after; $500 per offense if the failure results from an employer–employee conspiracy

  • • South Carolina's registry reminds employers that state law separately requires E-Verify for all new hires.

When is my South Carolina report due?

Enter the first day of paid work to get the due date (with a calendar reminder), check whether a returning worker counts as a rehire, or fill in a South Carolina report worksheet and download it as a PDF. Everything runs in your browser; employee details are never saved.

What goes on a South Carolina new hire report

Federal data elements (every state)

  • Employee name
  • Employee address
  • Employee Social Security number
  • Date of hire (first day the employee performed services for pay)
  • Employer name
  • Employer address
  • Employer FEIN (same FEIN used for quarterly wage reports)

Added by South Carolina

  • Employee date of birth

Requested but optional: Employer phone number.

Most states accept a copy of the employee's Form W-4 with the employer name, address and FEIN filled in, as long as any extra South Carolina fields are added. Use the same FEIN you put on your quarterly wage reports.

How South Carolina compares

  • Deadline: South Carolina uses the federal 20-day limit, like 41 other states and DC. 9 states are stricter, with 7, 10, 14 and 15-day deadlines.
  • Contractors: 17 states require contractor reports (California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia); South Carolina makes it optional.
  • Rehires: Uses the federal rule: report a returning worker who was gone at least 60 consecutive days.
  • Multistate employers can instead report every new hire electronically to a single state where they have employees after registering with HHS (Multistate Employer Registry).

Related for South Carolina employers: South Carolina payroll taxes & SUTA rate · South Carolina payday & final paycheck rules · South Carolina minimum wage · payroll setup checklist

South Carolina new hire reporting FAQ

How long do I have to report a new hire in South Carolina?

Within 20 days after the employee's first day of work (S.C. Code § 43-5-598). That matches the federal 20-day limit. Employers that report electronically may instead send twice-monthly transmissions 12 to 16 days apart. The date of hire is the first day the employee performs services for pay. The state's source doesn't say business or calendar days, so count calendar days to be safe.

Do I have to report independent contractors in South Carolina?

Optional.

Do I need to report rehired employees in South Carolina?

Federal rule: report workers rehired after a separation of at least 60 consecutive days.

What information goes on a South Carolina new hire report?

Every report needs the seven federal data elements: the employee's name, address, Social Security number and date of hire, and the employer's name, address and FEIN. South Carolina also requires: Employee date of birth.

How do I report a new hire in South Carolina?

Accepted methods: Online; TXT/CSV file upload; Fax; Mail. Reports go to the South Carolina Department of Social Services — Child Support Services Division.

What is the penalty for not reporting a new hire in South Carolina?

$25 for the second offense and each one after; $500 per offense if the failure results from an employer–employee conspiracy. Federal law caps state penalties at $25 per unreported employee, or $500 when the employer and employee conspire not to report or to file a false report. A late report is still required.

I have employees in South Carolina and other states. Where do I report?

Report each employee to the state where they work, following that state's rules, or register with HHS as a multistate employer and send all new hire reports electronically to one state where you have employees. Multistate employers that pick South Carolina follow South Carolina's rules for everyone.

Official Sources

Figures checked against these sources on 2026-10-12

Related Resources on This Site

New hire reporting in other states

ALAKAZARCACOCTDEDCFLGAHIIDILINIAKSKYLAMEMDMAMIMNMSMOMTNENVNHNJNMNYNCNDOHOKORPARISDTNTXUTVTVAWAWVWIWY

All states on one map and table, plus territories →

General information, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the South Carolina Department of Social Services — Child Support Services Division before relying on them.