Ab initio based multireference configuration interaction calculations are carried out for SnS and its monopositive ion using effective core potentials. Potential energy curves and spectroscopic constants of the low-lying states of SnS and SnS+ are computed. The ground-state dissociation energies of the neutral and ionic species are about 4.71 and 2.86 eV, respectively which compare well with the available thermochemical data. The effect of d-electron correlation on the spectroscopic constants of a few low-lying states has been studied. The spin-orbit interaction has also been included to investigate its effect on the spectroscopic properties of both SnS and SnS+. Dipole moment and transition moment curves are also constructed as a function of the bond length. Transition probabilities of some dipole-allowed and spin-forbidden transitions are studied. Radiative lifetimes of a few low-lying states are estimated. The Sigma(1)Sigma(+)-X(1)Sigma(+) transition of SnS is predicted to be the strongest one. The components of the A(2)Sigma(+) (1/2)-X(2)(2)Pi(1/2) transition with parallel and perpendicular polarization are separately analyzed. The vertical ionization energies of the ground-state SnS to the ground and low-lying excited states of the monopositive ion are calculated.