How to Start an LLC in Tennessee (TN LLC 2024)


Steve Goldstein
Steve Goldstein
Business Formation Expert
Steve Goldstein, founder of LLCBuddy, is a specialist in corporate formations, dedicated to guiding entrepreneurs and small business owners through the LLC process. LLCBuddy provides a wealth of streamlined resources such as guides, articles, and FAQs, making LLC establishment seamless. The diligent editorial staff makes sure content is accurate, up-to-date information on topics like state-specific requirements, registered agents, and compliance. Steve's enthusiasm for entrepreneurship makes LLCBuddy an essential and trustworthy resource for launching and running an LLC.

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How to Start an LLC in Tennessee: If you’re looking to start an LLC in Tennessee, you’ve come to the right page. Setting up an LLC is easy and cost-effective. To form an LLC, you must follow a few steps that include naming your LLC, hiring a registered agent, filing your formation documents, doing the operating agreement, and finally obtaining the EIN. You can easily set up your LLC at a very low cost in Tennessee. Though, you must pay the mandatory state filing fee. These fees and charges can be tax deductible, making the LLC formation cost almost negligible.

On this page, You’ll find all the steps that must be taken to ensure that your Tennessee LLC has been correctly formed. We recommend you read the whole article very carefully, word by word, don’t miss anything 🙂

How to Start an LLC in Tennessee

An LLC (aka Limited Liability Company) is a hybrid business entity combining a corporation’s characteristics with a partnership or sole proprietorship. It separates your personal assets from your business assets, thus giving you personal asset protection. For an LLC, members’ personal assets are not affected by business debts. However, in some cases, if the LLC is sued for business debts, courts might pierce the corporate veil and use the owner’s personal assets to meet their corporate liabilities.

If you wish to start an LLC in Tennessee, you must file your Articles of Organization with the State and pay a filing fee of $300. While it’s the most important step, it’s not the only one. There are 4 other crucial steps to follow to get your LLC formed in Tennessee. Below are all 5 steps that explain everything you need to do to start a Tennessee LLC in 2024. Let’s get started! You can always hire a professional LLC formation service in Tennessee to set up your LLC instead of doing it alone; a Pro service will ensure everything is done properly.

Step 1: Decide a Name for Your Tennessee LLC

Tennessee name your llc

The first step while forming a limited liability company in Tennessee is to give a proper name to your LLC. Before you name your business, you must know that the name should be easy to remember, available in the state, and follows all the LLC naming guidelines.

Tennessee LLC Naming Guidelines

There are a few specific requirements all the LLCs in Tennessee have to follow while naming their Company. Some of the most important requirements are as follows:

  • Your business name should be available and no other existing business in Tennessee can have the same name. ZenBusiness offers unlimited business name searches without any hassle.
  • “Limited Liability Company”, “LLC”, and “L.L.C.” – any one of these has to be used as a suffix in your business name.
  • You cannot use any name for your business that is confusing or misleading. Terms such as “Treasury”, “State Department”, “FBI”, “CIA”, etc. shouldn’t be included.
  • Terms like “Bank“, “University“, “Attorney“, “Doctor“, etc can be added only after the additional requirements by Tennessee State Government are fulfilled.
  • (Optional) It’s better to name your business something for which your desired domain is available.
Important Links –Submit Offline Form to –
Tennessee Business Entity Search – Online Name Search
Name Reservation Form – PDF
Tennessee LLC Name Search – Instructions
Corporate Filings
312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue
6th Floor, William R. Snodgrass Tower
Nashville, Tennessee 37243

Reserve Business Name for Future

If you do not wish to file your LLC right now but want to hold the name you have decided on, then you can reserve your LLC name for 4 months. To keep the name, you must file a name reservation application and pay $20 to reserve your name with the Tennessee Secretary of State.

Doing Business As (DBA) or Trade Name

Once you have a legal name for your LLC, you can register it. However, it is not mandatory. You can, instead, use DBA, Fictitious Name, or Trade Name. In that case, you must register your name with the Tennessee Secretary of State by submitting an Application to Register Trade Name in Tennessee and the filing fee of $15.

Recommended: You can do name search, business domain, website, emails, and a lot more in one place by hiring a professional service. We recommend using –

#1 TOP PICK

ZenBusiness($0 for LLC Formation)

Apart from LLC formation, ZenBusiness offers customized website templates and business emails at a very reasonable price. If you plan to get a website, then it is wise to have a “.com” domain for your business, but these days you can also use other TLDs like “.io”, “.company”, “.xyz,” etc. Here you can get everything you need for your business in one dashboard.

Do I have to include LLC in my company email/domain?

It is not legally mandatory to use the word LLC in your domain name or email. If you want, you can use it. However, it is recommended not to use LLC in the domain name. A domain name should be short and easy to remember.

Step 2: Assign a Registered Agent in Tennessee

Tennessee registered agent

The second step to forming an LLC in Tennessee is to appoint a Registered Agent. A registered agent is a person or business entity working on your LLC’s behalf. This person or business will receive important tax forms, legal documents, all notices of lawsuits, and other official government correspondence in Tennessee. Hence, hiring a competent Tennesee Registered Agent for your LLC is necessary.

Make sure your registered agent is a resident of Tennessee or has a physical street address. This address will be used as the principal address of your LLC to receive any legal documents. Most LLC formation companies also provide registered agent services. Below are two great LLC formation services; even if you buy their cheapest plan (normally $0), you also get registered agent service and other services at a very reasonable price.

LLC Service

Our Rating & Pricing

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#1 TOP PICK

$0 + State Fees

  • 100% accuracy guarantee

  • Worry-free service

  • Great customer support

  • Established reputation

  • Extras are bit more expensive

  • Good customer support

These two are our top recommendations for registered agent service, as they are competent and authorized to conduct business in Tennessee. Some LLC formation services also offer standalone Tennessee registered agent services. You can purchase only Registered Agent services without purchasing any other LLC formation services. This standalone service might become handy if you are doing it yourself and don’t want to disclose your home address or you don’t want to pierce the corporate veil.

Who Can Be a Registered Agent?

A person above 18 years of age and has a physical address in the state of Tennessee can be a Registered Agent. A Registered Agent can be an independent person or can be a business entity. One is responsible for handling all the legal documents on the LLCs behalf.

Can I Be My Own Registered Agent?

Yes, you can be your own registered agent if you are a resident of the state of Tennessee and you are above 18 years of age. To become a registered agent, you must have the authority to conduct any type of business in Tennessee.

Why Shouldn’t I be My Own Registered Agent?

There are a few reasons why you shouldn’t be your own registered agent. The address of the registered agent is used to communicate with the SOS or for any legal activities. If you are your own registered agent, you might have to upload your personal address to the public forum. Besides, the registered agent must be at the address during business hours. It won’t be easy for you as you also have to take care of other things in your LLC. Hence, it is wiser to appoint a separate entity as your registered agent.

What is Piercing the Corporate Veil in LLC?

If an LLC is sued in Tennessee, in some cases, courts might decide to lift the corporate veil, which means the owners of the LLC will be personally liable for their business debts. They might have to forgo their personal assets to repay their business debts. This is called piercing the corporate veil, where personal and business assets are not separated anymore. Your personal assets can be protected if you have enough capital and all your LLC documents are properly filed.

Registered Agent Consent Application

In Tennessee, there is no separate Consent Letter to be produced to the Secretary of State. At the time of change of Registered Agent (or the name or address), the new Registered Agent has to sign the consent letter. It comes with the Application form to Change the Registered Agent. The filing fee of $20 should be paid for it. For more information on the same, read our guide on Tennessee Registered Agent.

Step 3: File Articles of Organization in Tennessee

Tennessee certificate of formation

The third and most important step in forming a Tennessee LLC is to file the Articles of Organization. This Tennessee Articles of Organization is a legal document that is required to register your business with the Tennessee Secretary of State. It costs $300 (by mail and online) to file your formation certificate in Tennessee.

The Articles of Organization include details like the name of the LLC, the registered agent’s name, address, employees’ details, and company structure (member-managed or manager-managed). Before hiring employees in Tennessee LLC, one should know about the rules and regulations thoroughly. Also, if you are expanding your existing business (an LLC) in other states to Tennessee, you must register as a Tennessee Foreign LLC.

How to File Online

Go to the Secretary of State Online Service. You will get the online service page. It does not need you to log in or subscribe to the portal. You can directly start filing your LLC by clicking on the “Online Filing” button below. Read more about the Tennessee Articles of Organization for online registration.

How to File by Mail

If you prefer filing real-life forms for your Tennessee LLC registration, then you can download Domestic LLC Formation Form. Read the form thoroughly, fill it out, and mail it to the following address,

Mailing Address:

Corporate Filings
312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue
6th Floor, William R. Snodgrass Tower
Nashville, Tennessee 37243

Processing Time: Normally, it takes around 5 business days (approx) to get your LLC formed in Tennessee. The processing time for online filing might be a little faster than offline filing. With an additional cost, you can get expedited filing as well. However, the document processing time can be changed due to various factors.

Recommended: Online LLC Formation service can provide all these documents way faster than usual time with lifetime customer support and 100% accuracy. We recommend using –

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ZenBusiness – ($0 + State Fees) Online LLC Setup

Every LLC owner has to pay the filing fees to register their business in Tennessee. This fee is mandatory but also tax deductible. If you’re doing it yourself (filing on your own), it will not cost you any additional service fee. However, it is not feasible to do that as the DIY process might be delayed, complicated, and messy, especially if you’re a novice entrepreneur. Hence, it is recommended to get professional guidance to get your LLC formed in Tennessee.

Step 4: Create Your Tennessee LLC Operating Agreement

Tennessee operating agreement

Moving on to the fourth step, filing your operating agreement. An operating agreement is a document that legally outlines the proprietorship and operating procedures of your LLC. This document is vital as it ensures that all business owners are on the same page regarding how they operate, thus reducing future conflicts.

When it comes to filing a Tennessee LLC Operating Agreement, the state does not require you to have a comprehensive operating agreement, but it is ideal to have one that contains all the details of your business operation that helps in taking future business decisions, especially if you decide to dissolve Tennessee LLC later. Hence, having an operating agreement may not be necessary, but it is surely ideal.

Recommended: You can get a professionally made operating agreement for very less cost with ZenBusiness. You don’t need to worry about drafting it as they will take care of it on your behalf. We recommend using –

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ZenBusiness – ($0 + State Fees) Online LLC Setup

The operating agreement draft can be created for free if you don’t hire a professional. However, there is an advantage to appointing a proficient person/service. You will get a businesslike quality operating agreement at a very cheap fee, which will help you in the future. Hiring a professional service means you can sleep well at night 🙂

Step 5: Filing a Tennessee LLC EIN

Tennessee file EIN for llc

The Employer Identification Number (aka EIN) is a nine-digit number given by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to make it easier to identify the type of business for tax purposes and taxes in general. The EIN is necessary for any active business or any form of business.

EIN is needed when the LLC hires employees. Hiring employees in Tennessee LLC requires following specific rules and regulations. On the other side, EIN for Tennessee foreign LLC should be obtained if your LLC is based in other states.

To obtain EIN (aka FEIN), one must fill up a form (Online or by mail) and submit it to the IRS. Enter details of your LLC, and finally, complete the form and send it to the address given. You can also get an EIN Assistant to help you with the process.

Mail to: Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999

Fax: (855) 641-6935 | Fee: Free

Recommended: This hassle will be reduced when you hire an LLC formation service. They take care of obtaining EIN and all other things for your LLC. We recommend using –

#1 TOP PICK

ZenBusiness – ($0 + State Fees) Online LLC Setup

Note: You don’t need a Social Security number when getting an EIN. You can proceed to fill out I.R.S. Form SS-4 and leave section 7b blank. You must then call the IRS at (267) 941-1099 to complete your application. Agents or employees will help you with that.


Congratulations, you are now done with all the necessary steps to form your Limited Liability Company in Tennessee. If you do it yourself, it should take you a long time to understand and do all the steps properly.

However, if you use ZenBusiness, it should be way faster. You will always have a live chat option and phone support with experts for any help you need. Their worry-free service will make things easier for you.


After Starting Your Tennessee LLC

After forming your LLC, there are still some things that you will need. The most important thing is to separate your business and personal assets. LLCs have limited liability protection that protects your personal assets from business liability. This is called a corporate veil. However, the corporate veil can be lifted or pierced by the court if the LLC is sued. In that case, the owners of the LLC become personally liable for their corporate debts. A few things like appointing a legit registered agent, having enough capital, and filing all the major documents with the state can save the LLCs from being pierced into the corporate veil.

Apart from that, there are a few things you need to take note of,

This page has provided you with steps to LLC formation and filing processes. You now have to remember upcoming filing deadlines and filing fees or filing costs, including fees for late filings to make sure your LLC is up-to-date.

Cost of Tennessee LLC

LLCs can be formed by spending very less price. Apart from the mandatory state filing fees, you don’t have to bear additional service charges if you do it yourself. Following are the fees and taxes LLCs in Tennessee must pay to register and run a business in the state. Forming an LLC is no doubt cost-effective compared to other business structures. However, the fees and charges (tax-deductible) that you must pay to the state, such as name reservation fee, name filing fee, LLC filing fee, and Franchise Tax & Sales Tax (If applicable). Here are the main fees and taxes you must pay while forming your limited liability company in Tennessee,

Fees/TaxAmount to be Paid
Name Reservation Fee$20
Articles of Organization Fee$300
Franchise Tax0.25% ($100 minimum)
LLC Annual Fee$50 per member
Sales Tax7%
Excise Tax6.5%

In Tennessee, an LLC name reservation is not mandatory. You can register your LLC name at the time of registering your LLC. If you wish to hold the name for some time without registering your LLC, then you can do that online. Your LLC name will be reserved for 4 months without registering your LLC. It can be renewed by paying $20.

In Tennessee, an Annual Report has to be produced every year. It costs $50 per member of the LLC. Also, the State of Tennessee requires the Franchise Tax each year. The amount of FT depends on the LLC’s revenue. The amount is a minimum of $100 (0.25%). Read our guide on LLC costs in Tennessee for more information.

Tennessee Foreign LLC

If you are interested in forming a Foreign LLC in Tennessee then you need to file the Certificate of Foreign LLC to the Tennessee Secretary of State. Foreign LLCs allow you to operate your business in more than one state. Along with the Certificate of Foreign LLC, you need to submit some more documents like the Certificate of Good Standing, etc. to the Tennessee SOS to form your foreign LLC in Tennessee. To know more in detail, check out our guide on Tennessee Foreign LLC.

Reasons to Start an LLC in Tennessee

The number of filings that the state of Tennessee is making every year is increasing year by year, and the reason is various attractive incentive programs. These programs offer various business funding options and a reduction in tax liabilities. Read more on Tennessee’s classification of LLC tax. The government has started many incentive programs that the LLC startups are attracted to the state and establish their entity. Some of them are mentioned below.

Tennessee Economic Development Incentive Program

Any entrepreneur tries to implement different business changes and look for a different kinds of assistance to make their business sustainable and set its pace in the growth phase. That is why to fulfill the demand of Tennessee LLC for sustainable growth. The government has launched different programs for the development of the LLC. They are:-

  • There is a fast-track infrastructure program under which assistance is provided by the government to form an infrastructure for their business. Some financial assistance and tax advantages are included in this program.
  • Amid the creation of jobs, the Tennessee government provides a tax credit to the LLC to keep creating such opportunities in the future.
  • Fasttrack Job Training Assistance Program is a specially launched scheme by the government in which the government provides job training for jobs to the youth. This training will help them learn the skills that are required for working in the professional sector.
  • A sales tax exemption program under which the companies qualified will be provided a rebate on the sales tax or be exempted from paying any amount.

Valley Incentive Program

If you want to start an LLC in Tennessee, you can also enroll your business in a valley incentive program. In this program, different types of bonuses will be provided to companies based on their field and their idea of starting a business. The investment credit program is one of them. This is a performance-based incentive based on the company’s development or those who are planning for further development. In this, a business can get a profit of 10-20% on their annual power consumption for 5-10 years straight.

Loan Funds

The loan fund scheme also targets the new startups in the state. The main objective of this program is to leverage the capital of the company through the investment so that the business can focus on job creation and expansion. An LLC in Tennessee can get a loan of up to $3 million under this scheme, repayment of which can be done in flexible terms of 5 to 20 years.

Leading Businesses Operating In Tennessee

The knowledge of the top businesses of Tennessee is important to know if you want to form an LLC in Tennessee. The reason behind this is that this knowledge will help you understand the business environment of the state better.

Advanced manufacturing

The biggest contributor to the state’s GDP is advanced manufacturing, with a total of around $49.22 billion. There is a huge production house of state-of-the-art cooking in the state that is producing firearms. Along with that, the automotive industry is also huge. The main reason why manufacturing is preferred in Tennessee is the low business cost and skilled labor.

The top brand names in the state are General Motors assembly and Volkswagen manufacturing unit the state.

Service Sector

There is a list of services that are contributing a huge amount to the GDP of the state. The main two out of them are the educational services and health care. There are more than 70 institutions present in the state in which easy students can get admission easily. Along with that, a health care industry in the state is producing high-quality services for people living in the state.

It is estimated that around 335,000 people are currently working in the state’s service sector that is contributing around $36.44 billion in revenue.

Entertainment businesses

The state is known for a well-established place for different music production houses and television setups. The major media companies present in the state are Ingram Entertainment, Scripps Networks Interactive, and Viacom. The entertainment sector’s total contribution is around $17.79 billion, of which $10 billion is the Nashville industry’s share.

There are some people who are looking for some small investment businesses in the state. they are mentioned below.

  • Recruiting agency
  • Social media management businesses
  • Music tutoring
  • Business planning business

Tennessee LLC Formation Review

Time needed: 5 minutes

Just to recap, here are the easy steps again when forming an LLC in Tennessee. Click on the steps in this list to read the full detail.

  1. Name your Tennessee LLC

    The first thing you must do is to choose a company name, which should be unique, easy to find, and available in the state.
    name your llc

  2. Choose a Registered Agent

    In Tennessee, it is mandatory to select a registered agent for your LLC. Get a professional Registered Agent from LLC formation services to get things done hassle-free.
    registered agent

  3. File a Formation Certificate

    Filing a formation certificate is necessary when forming an LLC in Tennessee. Depending on the state, it could be called any of the following: Certificate of Formation, Articles of Organization, or Certificate of Organization.
    articles of organization

  4. Create an Operating Agreement

    An operating agreement is not a strict requirement in Tennessee but something encouraged when you start an LLC to avoid future conflicts.
    operating agreement

  5. Get an EIN

    The Employer Identification Number (EIN), also called Federal Tax Identification Number, serves to identify a business entity like a social security number but for a company.
    file EIN for llc

F.A.Qs

Can I file an LLC in Tennessee by myself?

If you are a resident of Tennessee, then you can file your LLC by yourself. However, it is always worth having a professional than doing it yourself to handle legal complexities, paperwork, and other documentation.

What is the cost of forming an LLC in Tennessee in a year?

Apart from the formation fee of $300 (domestic LLC) and $300 (foreign LLC), LLC costs in Tennessee include $50 per member for Annual Reports every year. LLCs are liable to pay sales tax of 7% every year. Tenessee Franchise Tax is 0.25% (Min $100) and excise tax is 6.5%.

How long does it take to get an LLC in Tennessee?

It takes 24 hours to get an LLC in Tennessee if you file it online. For the mail filing, it takes 3 to 5 business days to get an LLC. If you hire a professional LLC service, then it might take less than that. We recommend TailorBrands which has impeccable turnaround time.

How to renew my LLC in Tennessee?

Every year all the LLCs have to submit an Annual Report and pay $50 per member to the Tennessee Secretary of State and renew the LLC. It is mandatory to renew your LLC every year.

What is the tax structure for an LLC in Tennessee?

Generally, for the LLCs, it is a default tax structure. Once you will obtain the EIN, you will get the various tax structure options to select. Sometimes LLCs choose S Corp to reduce federal tax burdens. Read more on the Tennessee Classification of LLC Tax.

How Fast Can I Form an LLC in Tennessee

Filing for the LLC in Tennessee can take up to 3 to 5 business days by mail. For the online process, it may be completed within 24 hours.

The process of forming an LLC in Tennessee is relatively straightforward and can be completed quickly with the right steps. One of the first steps is to choose a name for your LLC that complies with Tennessee’s naming requirements. This includes ensuring that the name is distinguishable from other registered businesses in the state and includes “Limited Liability Company” or an abbreviation like “LLC.”

Once you have chosen a name, you will need to appoint a registered agent for your LLC. A registered agent is responsible for receiving legal documents on behalf of the company, so choose someone who can fulfill this important role. You can appoint yourself, another individual, or a commercial registered agent service for this purpose.

After selecting a registered agent, you will need to file the necessary formation documents with the Tennessee Secretary of State. This typically involves submitting articles of organization, along with the required fees. The articles of organization outline key details about your LLC, such as its name, registered agent, business purpose, and management structure.

Once your articles of organization are filed and approved by the Secretary of State, your LLC will officially be formed. This process can typically be completed within a few business days, though expedited filing options may be available for an additional fee if you need your LLC formed more quickly.

After your LLC is formed, you will need to obtain an employer identification number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). An EIN is a unique identification number that your LLC will use for tax purposes, opening a bank account, and hiring employees. You can apply for an EIN online through the IRS website, and the process is typically fast and straightforward.

In addition to obtaining an EIN, you may need to apply for any required business licenses or permits in Tennessee, depending on the nature of your business. These requirements can vary depending on your industry and location, so it is important to research what licenses and permits you may need to operate legally in Tennessee.

Overall, the process of forming an LLC in Tennessee can be done relatively quickly with the right steps and preparation. By following the necessary legal requirements, choosing a registered agent, filing the required documents, and obtaining an EIN, you can have your LLC up and running in a matter of days. So if you are ready to take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey, forming an LLC in Tennessee may be the right choice for you.

In Conclusion

LLCs are easier to establish than other business structures. Small businesses, especially start-ups can easily start an LLC in Tennessee at a bare minimum cost. LLCs have a ‘pass-through taxation’ advantage for which they are excluded from certain taxes. The formation of limited liability companies requires much lesser documents and legal processes. Share your queries with us, and leave a comment below.

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