How to Start an LLC in Tennessee
Form your Tennessee LLC online with transparent pricing, registered agent service and real human support. Incofile prepares and files your Articles of Organization for you.
Start My Tennessee LLCStart your Tennessee LLC in minutes
We handle the paperwork with the state.
Tennessee LLC filing fee & timeline
To form an LLC in Tennessee you file your Articles of Organization with the state and pay the state filing fee of $300. Incofile adds a flat, one-time service fee on top — no monthly charges — and your total is always shown before you pay.
Most Tennessee LLC filings are prepared and submitted within one business day. State approval time depends on Tennessee's current processing queue, typically ranging from a few business days to a few weeks, with expedited options available in many states.
Why form an LLC in Tennessee
Tennessee has no personal income tax on wages, but it is one of the more expensive states to keep an LLC in good standing. The state charges $50 per member (minimum $300) to file, a $300 minimum annual report, and most LLCs also owe the state franchise and excise tax, which has a $100 minimum each year.
Tennessee LLC at a glance
| State filing fee | $50 per member, minimum $300 and maximum $3,000 |
|---|---|
| Document filed | Articles of Organization (Form SS-4270), filed online through TNBear |
| Annual report | $300 minimum ($50 per member, capped at $3,000) |
| Annual report due | By the 1st day of the 4th month after your fiscal year ends — April 1 for a calendar year |
| Franchise tax | 0.25% of net worth, minimum $100 a year |
| Excise tax | 6.5% of net earnings |
| State income tax | None on wages or business profit passed to owners |
| Business tax | Separate gross-receipts tax for many businesses selling goods or services, filed with the Department of Revenue |
| Registered agent | Required; must have a physical Tennessee street address (no PO boxes) |
State figures checked against the Tennessee Secretary of State, Business Services Division, September 2026. State fees are set by Tennessee and can change; the exact total is shown before you pay.
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Tennessee?
| Cost | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (state filing fee) | $50 per member — minimum $300, maximum $3,000 | Required, one time |
| Registered agent | $0 if you act as your own agent at a Tennessee street address; otherwise a registered agent service | Required, ongoing |
| Annual report | $50 per member — minimum $300, maximum $3,000 | Required every year by the 1st day of the 4th month after your fiscal year ends |
| Franchise tax | 0.25% of net worth, minimum $100 a year | Annual |
| Excise tax | 6.5% of net earnings | Annual |
| EIN from the IRS | Free from the IRS | Needed for a bank account and taxes |
These are state, IRS and other outside costs — not Incofile fees. Your Incofile package price is shown separately at checkout, and your full total is always shown before you pay. Estimate every cost for your state with our LLC cost calculator.
How to form an LLC in Tennessee — 4 steps
Choose your package
Pick the Incofile package that fits your goals. Your Tennessee state filing fee is shown before you pay.
Tell us about your LLC
Complete our short form with your company name, address and ownership details — about ten minutes.
We check & file with Tennessee
We confirm your name is available and file your Articles of Organization with the Tennessee state office.
Get your documents
Your approved Tennessee LLC documents land in your dashboard, with reminders for your annual report and other deadlines.
How to start an LLC in Tennessee: step by step
Here is exactly what forming a Tennessee LLC involves, whether you file it yourself or let Incofile handle the paperwork.
Choose and check your LLC name
Pick a name that includes “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company” and is distinguishable from existing Tennessee businesses. Check it with our free business name search.
Appoint a registered agent
Name a registered agent with a physical street address in Tennessee (not a PO box) who can accept legal papers during business hours. If you live outside Tennessee or want privacy, Incofile can act as your agent.
File the Articles of Organization
File Form SS-4270 online through TNBear and pay $50 per member (minimum $300) plus a card or eCheck service fee.
Create an operating agreement
Tennessee does not require you to file an operating agreement, but it records who owns the LLC, how profits are shared and how decisions are made. Banks commonly ask for it, and it helps protect your limited liability.
Get an EIN
Apply to the IRS for your Employer Identification Number (EIN). You need it to open a business bank account, hire staff and file federal taxes. The IRS issues it free; non-US owners without an SSN apply by phone, fax or mail, and our Gold package handles it for you.
Register for taxes and local licenses
Register with the Tennessee Department of Revenue through TNTAP for franchise and excise tax, business tax and sales tax as applicable, and get your county and city business licenses.
File your annual report and tax returns each year
File the annual report (minimum $300) by the first day of the fourth month after your fiscal year ends — 1 April for calendar-year LLCs — and file your franchise and excise tax return with the Department of Revenue.
Tennessee LLC filing requirements: what you need
- A business name that is available and meets Tennessee's naming rules (it must include “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company”).
- A registered agent with a physical address in Tennessee — Incofile can be your agent.
- Articles of Organization filed with the Tennessee state office — we prepare and submit these for you.
- An operating agreement and EIN to open a business bank account (included in our Gold and Platinum packages).
- Ongoing compliance — Tennessee's reports, taxes and registered agent rules (see below). We track the deadlines and remind you.
Operating agreement
An operating agreement sets out who owns the LLC, how profits are split, how decisions are made and what happens if a member leaves. Tennessee does not ask you to file it with the state, but banks usually want to see it, and without one the state's default rules apply. Incofile includes a customised operating agreement in the Gold and Platinum packages.
EIN (Employer Identification Number)
Your EIN is the federal tax ID for your LLC. You need it to open a business bank account, hire staff and file taxes. The IRS issues it free — online in minutes if you have a Social Security number, or by fax or mail (one to eight weeks) if you don't. Our Gold and Platinum packages include it, and it is also available as a separate service.
This is general information, not legal advice. If you're unsure which structure is right, compare LLC vs S-Corp vs C-Corp.
Tennessee LLC naming rules
The name must contain "Limited Liability Company", "LLC" or "L.L.C." and must be distinguishable from every entity on the Tennessee register. Check availability with our free business name search.
Keeping your Tennessee LLC compliant
Annual report
Every Tennessee LLC files an annual report with the Secretary of State. It is due by the first day of the fourth month after your fiscal year ends, which is April 1 for most LLCs. The fee is $50 per member, with a $300 minimum and a $3,000 maximum.
Franchise & excise tax
Tennessee LLCs generally owe the franchise tax (0.25% of net worth, $100 minimum) and the excise tax (6.5% of net earnings), even when the LLC is a single-member business. The return is due on the 15th day of the 4th month after year end. Some family-owned entities qualify for an exemption.
Registered agent
Tennessee requires a registered agent with a physical street address in the state. If you form from outside Tennessee, a professional agent such as Incofile is the simplest option.
Business tax & licenses
Many businesses also register for Tennessee's gross-receipts business tax and obtain city or county business licenses. Regulated professions are licensed separately.
Incofile clients get every Tennessee deadline tracked in their dashboard with email reminders — see registered agent service.
Official Tennessee resources
Tennessee LLC — frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Tennessee?
Incofile charges a flat, one-time formation fee (Silver, Gold or Platinum) plus the Tennessee state filing fee of $300. There are no monthly charges, and the total is shown before you pay.
How long does it take to form an LLC in Tennessee?
We prepare and submit your Tennessee Articles of Organization within one business day. State approval times vary from a few business days to a few weeks; expedited filing is available in many states.
Do I need a registered agent in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee requires every LLC to have a registered agent with a physical address in the state to receive legal and state mail. Incofile can serve as your Tennessee registered agent so you stay compliant and keep your address private.
Can I start an LLC in Tennessee if I live in another state or country?
Yes. You do not need to live in Tennessee to form an LLC there. Incofile can act as your registered agent and provide a business address, so you can form and run your Tennessee LLC from anywhere.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Tennessee?
The state charges $50 for each member, with a $300 minimum and a $3,000 maximum. An LLC with one to six members pays $300.
Does a Tennessee LLC pay franchise and excise tax?
Most do. The franchise tax is 0.25% of net worth with a $100 minimum, and the excise tax is 6.5% of net earnings. Certain family-owned entities are exempt.
When is the Tennessee annual report due?
By the first day of the fourth month after your fiscal year ends — April 1 for a calendar-year LLC. The fee starts at $300.
Does Tennessee have a state income tax?
No. Tennessee does not tax wages or the profit passed through to LLC owners, but the LLC itself may owe franchise and excise tax.
How much does a Tennessee LLC cost per year?
At least $300 for the annual report ($50 per member), plus franchise tax (minimum $100) and excise tax on net earnings. Add a registered agent service if you use one.
Ready to launch your Tennessee LLC?
Most orders are prepared and submitted within one business day.
Start My Tennessee LLC