Tennessee prices LLC formation by headcount. The Tennessee Secretary of State charges $50 per member to file Articles of Organization, with a $300 minimum and a $3,000 maximum (as of October 2026), so any LLC with six or fewer members pays $300. You file online through TNCaB, the Secretary of State’s business filing system.
Ongoing costs are also higher than in most states. Tennessee LLCs file an annual report (minimum $300) and are generally subject to the state franchise and excise taxes, including a $100 minimum franchise tax. Here is how to get through each step.
Updated October 2026.
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Best LLC Formation Services in Tennessee (2026)
Comparing services for forming an LLC in Tennessee? Start with this ranked shortlist; details for each pick follow the table.
| Rank | Provider | Best for | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | Forming an LLC with the agent, EIN and annual report included | $199/year + state fee at cost | LLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing |
| 2 | TN Registered Agent.org | Tennessee registered agent service only | $99/year | $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
| 3 | Tennessee Registered Agent.co | Tennessee registered agent service only | $99/year | in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
1. Mainstay Filing
Mainstay Filing is our top pick in Tennessee. It costs $199/year + state fee at cost and covers lLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing. The price stays the same every year, with no add-on menu.
2. TN Registered Agent.org
TN Registered Agent.org is a Tennessee registered agent service at $99/year. It provides $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
3. Tennessee Registered Agent.co
Tennessee Registered Agent.co is a Tennessee registered agent service at $99/year. It provides in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
Tennessee LLC at a glance (October 2026)
| Item | Tennessee |
|---|---|
| Filing office | Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business and Charitable Organizations |
| Formation document | Articles of Organization (Form SS-4270) |
| Filing fee | $50 per member, $300 minimum, $3,000 maximum (forms and fees) |
| How to file | Online at TNCaB, by mail, or in person in Nashville |
| Annual report | $300 minimum, plus $50 per member over six, up to $3,000 |
| Annual report due | First day of the fourth month after your fiscal year ends (April 1 for a December year-end) |
| Name reservation | $20 |
| Registered agent change | $20 |
| State taxes | Franchise and excise taxes; minimum franchise tax $100 |
Step 1: Choose a Tennessee LLC name
Under T.C.A. 48-249-106, as printed on the Articles of Organization form, a Tennessee LLC name must contain “Limited Liability Company” or the abbreviation “LLC” or “L.L.C.” Tennessee does not list shorter forms such as “LC.”
Some words need outside approval first. A name containing “bank,” “banking,” “credit union” or “trust” needs written approval from the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions, and “insurance company” needs approval from the Department of Commerce and Insurance. If the name is not distinguishable from an existing business, you can only use it with an Application for Use of Indistinguishable Name and an extra $20 fee, in the limited situations the statute allows.
Search names in TNCaB, and see our Tennessee business name search guide for tips on reading the results. A name reservation costs $20. Before you file, check that the domain and social handles are open on Namechk, browse ideas with the business name generator, and run a USPTO trademark search.
Step 2: Appoint a registered agent
Tennessee requires every LLC to maintain a registered agent and registered office in the state at all times, according to the Secretary of State’s business FAQ. The agent can be an individual or an organization, and the registered office must be a physical Tennessee street address; a post office box, route number or box number alone is rejected.
Owners often serve as their own agent, but the address becomes public record and someone must be there to accept legal papers. If that does not suit you, hire a commercial agent. Changing your agent later costs $20.
Mainstay Filing includes a Tennessee registered agent for the first year with its formation package. If you only need the agent, TN Registered Agent.org offers it at a flat $99 per year.
Step 3: File Articles of Organization in TNCaB
Tennessee’s instructions direct filers to tncab.tnsos.gov, where you complete the Articles of Organization online and pay by card, debit or e-check. Card and e-check payments carry a convenience fee. You can also use TNCaB to complete and print the form, then mail it with a check to the Secretary of State at 312 Rosa L. Parks Ave., Nashville, TN 37243, or file in person.
Form SS-4270 asks for more detail than many states. Expect to provide:
- The LLC name and any additional designation, such as professional or series LLC
- Your fiscal year-end month (December if you leave it blank), which sets your annual report due date
- The principal office street address and county, plus a mailing address if different
- A business email address, where all reminders are sent
- Up to three NAICS codes describing your business
- Whether the LLC is member-, manager- or director-managed, and the number of members on the filing date
- The registered agent’s name, Tennessee street address, county and email
- An organizer’s signature
The fee is $50 per member at filing, with a $300 minimum and $3,000 maximum. For a breakdown of state and service costs, see the Tennessee LLC cost guide from Mainstay Filing.
Step 4: Write an operating agreement
Tennessee does not require LLCs to file an operating agreement with the Secretary of State. It is still the document that sets ownership percentages, management authority, profit distributions and buyout terms.
Because Tennessee’s fees depend on the number of members, the operating agreement is also where you clearly record who the members are. Banks routinely ask for it before opening a business account.
Step 5: Get an EIN and register for Tennessee taxes
Apply for a free EIN on the IRS website. You need it for banking, payroll and tax registrations.
Tennessee has no broad personal income tax on wages, but LLCs are generally subject to the franchise and excise taxes administered by the Department of Revenue. The excise tax is based on net earnings, and the franchise tax has a $100 minimum that applies even if the company is inactive while registered with the Secretary of State. Some entities, such as qualifying family-owned non-corporate entities, can claim exemptions, so review the Department’s guidance or ask a tax professional.
If you sell taxable goods or services, register for sales tax as well. Depending on your gross receipts, you may also need a business license from your county clerk and city under Tennessee’s business tax.
Step 6: File the Tennessee annual report
Under T.C.A. 48-249-1017, Tennessee LLCs file an annual report on or before the first day of the fourth month after their fiscal year ends. For most LLCs with a December year-end, that is April 1. File it in TNCaB, where you will need an account.
According to the Secretary of State’s FAQ, the LLC annual report fee is $300 at minimum, increasing by $50 for each member over six, up to $3,000. Paying the wrong amount is one of the most common reasons reports are rejected. An LLC that fails to file can be administratively dissolved, and reinstating it starts with a $70 application.
Step 7: Licenses and local requirements
Beyond the business tax license, many occupations in Tennessee are licensed by state boards, including contractors, cosmetologists and health professionals. Cities and counties may also require zoning approval or permits.
For the full list of registrations a new company needs, see our guide to starting a business in Tennessee.
Tennessee LLC FAQs
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Tennessee?
Tennessee charges $50 per member to file Articles of Organization, with a $300 minimum and a $3,000 maximum, as of October 2026. An LLC with one to six members pays $300. Card and e-check payments add a convenience fee. Ongoing costs include the annual report (minimum $300) and the state franchise and excise taxes.
When is the Tennessee LLC annual report due?
A Tennessee LLC files its annual report on or before the first day of the fourth month after its fiscal year ends, under T.C.A. 48-249-1017. With a December fiscal year-end, the report is due April 1. You file through the Secretary of State’s TNCaB system after creating an account.
How much is the Tennessee LLC annual report fee?
The Tennessee Secretary of State says the LLC annual report fee is $300 at minimum and increases by $50 for each member over six members, up to a maximum of $3,000. Paying the wrong amount is a common reason reports are rejected, so count members carefully.
Do Tennessee LLCs pay franchise and excise tax?
Generally, yes. The Tennessee Department of Revenue says LLCs registered or doing business in Tennessee must register for and pay franchise and excise taxes. The excise tax is based on net earnings, and the minimum franchise tax is $100. Certain entities, including qualifying family-owned non-corporate entities, may be exempt.
What words must a Tennessee LLC name include?
Under T.C.A. 48-249-106, a Tennessee LLC name must contain “Limited Liability Company” or the abbreviation “LLC” or “L.L.C.” Names using words such as bank, trust, credit union or insurance company need written approval from the relevant state department before the Secretary of State will accept the filing.
Can I file my Tennessee LLC online?
Yes. The Tennessee Secretary of State directs filers to TNCaB at tncab.tnsos.gov, where you complete the Articles of Organization and pay by card, debit or e-check. Online payments carry a convenience fee. You can also print the completed form and mail it with a check, or file in person in Nashville.
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