Form a Tennessee LLC with StartGlobal
$399 state fee included
EIN, operating agreement and first-year agent service included. Nothing else to buy.
Tennessee LLC costs at a glance
| Cost | When | Applies in Tennessee | With StartGlobal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization filing fee | Once, to form | Yes | Included in $399 |
| Registered agent | Every year | Yes, or be your own | Year one included, then $99/yr |
| Annual Report | Every year | Yes | Optional filing service, $299/yr |
| State tax or yearly charge | See below | Yes, see below | Paid to the state |
| EIN | Once | For a bank account or staff | Included in $399 |
| Operating agreement | Once | Recommended | Included in $399 |
| Local business licences | Varies | Depends on city, county and trade | Paid to the issuer |
Forming the LLC
Tennessee LLCs are formed by filing a Articles of Organization with the Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business and Charitable Organizations, which accepts filings online. The state charges a one-time fee to accept it; the fee is the same whether you file yourself or use a service, and StartGlobal includes it in the $399.
Keeping it active
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.
You also need a registered agent in Tennessee every year. Ours is included for the first year and $99 a year after; you can act as your own if you have a Tennessee address and are there in business hours.
- 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.
What a "$0" Tennessee LLC costs over three years
Formation, a registered agent every year and an EIN, at each provider's published prices. The Tennessee filing fee is added on top of theirs and included in ours.
| Three years | |
|---|---|
| ZenBusiness Starter Registered agent is a $199/yr add-on from day one. | $696 + Tennessee filing fee |
| LegalZoom Basic Registered agent is $249/yr. | $826 + Tennessee filing fee |
| Bizee Basic Registered agent free for year one, then $149/yr. | $368 + Tennessee filing fee |
| StartGlobal State fee, first-year agent and EIN included. Agent $99/yr after. | $597, all in |
Over three years our price is lower than ZenBusiness or LegalZoom in every state. Bizee's first agent year is free, which can make it cheaper depending on the state fee. Filing yourself costs only the state fee.
Sources
Related
Frequently asked questions
How much does an LLC cost in Tennessee?
Tennessee charges a one-time fee to file the Articles of Organization. With StartGlobal the total is $399 with that fee included, plus your EIN, operating agreement and first-year registered agent service. After that: 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).
What are the yearly costs of a Tennessee LLC?
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. You also need a registered agent in Tennessee every year, unless you act as your own.
Is there a cheaper way to form a Tennessee LLC?
Yes: file the Articles of Organization yourself with the Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business and Charitable Organizations, act as your own registered agent and get your EIN from the IRS for free. It costs only the state fee and your time.
Does a $0 LLC service cost nothing in Tennessee?
No. The Tennessee filing fee is charged on top of a "$0" formation, and registered agent service and the EIN are usually add-ons. Over three years our $399 all-in is lower than ZenBusiness or LegalZoom at their published prices.
