Tennessee LLC Cost Calculator & 5-Year Taxes
Initial state filing fee: $300. Ongoing annual report fee: $300 (annual). Franchise tax: $100/yr minimum.
Check if your LLC name is taken on official Tennessee database
Every LLC name must be legally distinguishable on state records. Perform a free corporate name lookup on the official Tennessee Secretary of State registry before submitting your $300 Articles of Organization.
How Much Does an LLC Cost in Tennessee?
An LLC in Tennessee costs $300 to form (one-time state filing fee) and $300 per year in annual report fees. Tennessee also charges a $100/yr minimum franchise tax. The estimated total 5-year cost is $2,195, including state fees, annual reports, and registered agent service.
| Fee Component | Statutory Cost | Frequency | Due Date / Requirement | Recipient Entity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Filing Fee) | $300 | One-time | Upon LLC formation | Tennessee Secretary of State |
| Periodic Annual / Biennial Report | $300 | annual | Due First day of 4th month after fiscal year end (April 1) | Tennessee Secretary of State |
| State Franchise Tax / Entity Fee | $100/yr | Annual | Annual tax schedule | State Tax Department |
| Registered Agent Service | $0 (Self) or $39–$125 | Annual | Continuous requirement | Appointed agent / Commercial service |
| Operating Agreement & Federal EIN | $0 (Free) | One-time | Internal record / IRS issuance | Internal Company Record / IRS |
| Total Minimum Initial Formation | $300 (State statutory fees to open LLC) | |||
Tennessee LLC 5-Year Cost Model
TNChoose a state and assumptions. Your five-year estimate updates instantly.
Future years assume today's reviewed rates remain unchanged. Historical estimates are not enabled because older rules have not been fully verified.
This estimate covers liabilities incurred in five taxable years (2026–2030), even when payment is due later.
Future years use an unchanged-current-law assumption. Income tax, legal advice, penalties, and unselected optional services are excluded.
Initial formation fee ($300) + registered agent
Annual report ($300/yr) + franchise tax
Estimated liability for the selected inputs and disclosed scope in Tennessee.
Five taxable years by cost category(Click any year to inspect)
Select a year to inspect its included liabilities and applicable tax due date.
Tax year 2026 included items
Total: $4395-Year Budget Allocation by Cost Category
Save on your Tennessee filing fees & protect your personal privacy
Pro Tip: Filing directly through the state exposes your personal home address on public government records forever. You can keep your private details off the public registry and save time by using a top-rated Registered Agent service starting at $39 + state fees.
Open a zero-fee business checking account for your Tennessee LLC
Separate your business finances immediately to preserve limited liability corporate veil protection.
Tennessee LLC Statutory Framework & Compliance Guide (2026)
Statutory requirements and fee schedules under the Tennessee Secretary of State.
Tennessee Franchise Tax & Business Privilege Tax Rules
Franchise & Excise (F&E) tax: $100 minimum franchise tax (0.25% of net worth) + 6.5% excise tax on Tennessee net earnings. Recent legislation eliminated the property measure.
Advantages of a Tennessee LLC
- 0% personal state income tax
- Thriving Nashville economy
Drawbacks & Hidden Costs
- Filing fee based on members: $50/member, min $300, max $3,000 initial AND annual!
- Franchise & Excise tax applies to LLCs
Founder Pro-Tip for Tennessee
Tennessee is one of the most expensive states for multi-member LLCs because filing fees scale with member count.
Step-by-Step Tennessee LLC Formation Checklist (2026)
Choose an Available Entity Name
Must include "LLC", "L.L.C.", or "Limited Liability Company" and be distinguishable on the Tennessee Secretary of State registry.
Appoint a Tennessee Registered Agent
Must have a physical street address in Tennessee (no P.O. boxes) to receive official service of process during regular business hours.
File Articles of Organization ($300 State Fee)
Submit electronically to the Tennessee Secretary of State. Approval is typically granted within Instant online via TNSOS.
Execute an Operating Agreement & Obtain Federal EIN
Establish member capital contributions, voting rights, and obtain a free 9-digit EIN from IRS.gov for business checking accounts.
Maintain Ongoing Legal Good Standing (First day of 4th month after fiscal year end (April 1))
Submit the annual report with the $300 fee to prevent automatic forfeiture or late fee assessments.
Tennessee LLC Cost FAQ
Common questions about forming and maintaining an LLC in Tennessee.
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Tennessee?
The state filing fee to form an LLC in Tennessee is $300, paid to the Tennessee Secretary of State when you file your Articles of Organization. With a registered agent service ($39–$125/yr), expect to pay approximately $339 in your first year.
What is the Tennessee LLC filing fee for 2026?
The Tennessee LLC filing fee is $300. This is a one-time fee paid to the Tennessee Secretary of State to register your Articles of Organization. Normal processing time is Instant online via TNSOS.
What are the annual fees for an LLC in Tennessee?
Tennessee charges a annual report fee of $300, due First day of 4th month after fiscal year end (April 1). Additionally, Tennessee imposes a franchise tax of $100/year minimum. Franchise & Excise (F&E) tax: $100 minimum franchise tax (0.25% of net worth) + 6.5% excise tax on Tennessee net earnings. Recent legislation eliminated the property measure.
How much does it cost to maintain a Tennessee LLC per year?
The annual cost to maintain a Tennessee LLC includes the annual report fee ($300), the state franchise/entity tax ($100/yr minimum), and a registered agent ($39–$125/yr). Over 5 years, the estimated total cost is $2,195.
Does Tennessee have a franchise tax for LLCs?
Yes. Tennessee imposes a franchise tax on LLCs: Franchise & Excise (F&E) tax: $100 minimum franchise tax (0.25% of net worth) + 6.5% excise tax on Tennessee net earnings. Recent legislation eliminated the property measure. The minimum annual franchise tax is $100.
Can I form an LLC in Tennessee if I live in another state?
Yes, you can form a domestic LLC in Tennessee regardless of where you live. However, if your principal business operations are in a different state, you will also need to register as a Foreign LLC in that state. In Tennessee, foreign LLC registration costs $300 plus $300/year in ongoing fees — often resulting in paying double.
Compare Tennessee with Rival & Neighboring States
Evaluating formation options? Review fee structures in competing jurisdictions: