Start a Tennessee LLC
How to start an LLC in Tennessee →
Name, registered agent, Articles of Organization and bank account, step by step.
Tennessee LLC cost →
What it costs to form and to keep, and a three-year comparison.
Tennessee operating agreement →
Not required by law, but every LLC needs one. Create yours free.
Run a Tennessee LLC
Tennessee Annual Report →
Every year. Due dates, first filing, and what happens if you miss it.
Tennessee franchise and excise tax →
Who owes it, when it is due and how to file.
Tennessee registered agent →
Every Tennessee LLC needs one. Ours is included in year one.
Compliance deadline tracker →
Every federal and Tennessee deadline for your LLC.
Changing or closing it: add or remove a member, change your registered agent, move to another state, dissolve the LLC.
Tennessee LLC at a glance
Formed with
Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business and Charitable Organizations
Formation document
Articles of Organization
Recurring filing
Annual Report, every year
Online filing
Yes
Tennessee LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due on or before the first day of the fourth month after the close of the LLC's fiscal year (April 1 for a December 31 fiscal year end).
Most LLCs owe Tennessee franchise and excise taxes to the Department of Revenue, a separate filing from the Secretary of State annual report. The return is due on the 15th day of the fourth month after the close of the tax year (April 15 for calendar year filers). Some LLCs, such as certain family-owned or obligated-member entities, may qualify for exemption.
Must include "limited liability company", "L.L.C." or "LLC", and it must be distinguishable from names already on the Tennessee register.
- The annual report deadline follows your fiscal year end, not your formation date.
- Franchise and excise tax applies to LLCs even though they are pass-through entities for federal tax.
Forming a Tennessee LLC from outside the US?
The steps above are written for people who live in the US. If you live abroad, the bank account and tax filings work differently.
Tennessee LLC for non-residents →Sources
Nearby states
All states
Frequently asked questions
How do I start an LLC in Tennessee?
Choose a name, appoint a registered agent in Tennessee, and file a Articles of Organization with the Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business and Charitable Organizations. Then write an operating agreement and open a business bank account. Our step-by-step guide covers each one.
How much does a Tennessee LLC cost?
Tennessee charges a one-time filing fee to form an LLC. With StartGlobal it is $399 in total, with that fee, your operating agreement and first-year registered agent included.
Does a Tennessee LLC file an annual report?
Tennessee LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due on or before the first day of the fourth month after the close of the LLC's fiscal year (April 1 for a December 31 fiscal year end).
Does Tennessee tax LLCs?
Most LLCs owe Tennessee franchise and excise taxes to the Department of Revenue, a separate filing from the Secretary of State annual report. The return is due on the 15th day of the fourth month after the close of the tax year (April 15 for calendar year filers). Some LLCs, such as certain family-owned or obligated-member entities, may qualify for exemption.
Is an operating agreement required in Tennessee?
No, but every Tennessee LLC should have one.
