Perhaps you are hoping to form an LLC in Tennessee. People assume that starting an LLC is difficult and costly. However, it’s generally not difficult, and the cost would vary across states. We have all the info you need to know about the cost of forming an LLC, particularly the LLC cost in Tennessee.
On this page, you’ll learn about the following:
Tennessee LLC Cost of Filing
Here are the costs involved in forming an LLC in Tennessee.
Cost of Filing Formation Certificates
The Tennessee Certificate of Formation is responsible for the majority of the cost, which could also vary depending on whether you’re forming a domestic LLC or a foreign LLC. Still, you can file both at the Tennessee Secretary of State.
Tennessee Domestic LLC
- Online Filing costs $300.
- Annual Report filing costs a minimum of $300 to a maximum of $3000
- Name Reservation fee costs $20
- By Mail: Fill out the application form, and send it to Secretary of State’s office at 6th FL – Snodgrass Tower ATTN: Corporate Filing, 312 Rosa L. Parks AVE, Nashville, TN 37243.
- $50.00 per member in existence on the date of the filing, with a minimum fee of $300.00 and a maximum fee of $3,000.
Tennessee Foreign LLC
- By Mail: Fill out the application form, and send it to Secretary of State’s office at 6th FL – Snodgrass Tower ATTN: Corporate Filing, 312 Rosa L. Parks AVE, Nashville, TN 37243.
- $50.00 per member in existence on the date of the filing, with a minimum fee of $300.00 and a maximum fee of $3,000.
- Annual Report filing costs a minimum of $300 to a maximum of $3000
- Name Reservation fee costs $20
Note that filing online is ideal, not only because you need to go to the Secretary of State office, but also it would be faster. You won’t have to wait in a queue in doing so.
Tennessee LLC Formation Service or Registered Agent Fee
You need a registered agent to form an LLC in Tennessee, hence, added costs for service fees. Here are three of the best LLC services on our list that will provide you with registered agents to ease your worries.
LLC Service | Our Rating & Pricing | Top Features | Learn More |
#1 TOP PICK  | $99 per year |
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 | $125 per year |
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Business Permits and Licenses
The business licenses depend on your business’s activity and location and are renewed yearly. As such, the cost will vary. Check the Tennessee Department of Revenue for regulatory boards or agencies requiring licensing.
Taxes Payable to Tennessee Department of Revenue
To register an LLC in Tennessee, an LLC must pay several taxes to the federal and Tennessee governments. Let’s take a look at some of the important taxes that are to be paid by LLCs in Tennessee. An LLC in the state of Tennessee pays two types of taxes to the Tennessee State Department of Revenue:
State Income Tax
Someone who has an LLC doesn’t have to pay any Income Tax on the earnings. Instead, the LLC is bound to pay the State Income Tax on the Stock Dividends & any Interest received from the bonds or notes. Such type of Income tax is usually known as Hall Income Tax.
State Sales & Use Tax
The state of Tennessee levies Sales & use tax on tangible goods & services provided by an LLC. The State Sales & Use tax rate in Tennessee is 7%.
Tennessee Franchise & Excise Tax
The State of Tennesse has one more type of tax, which needs to be paid by the LLC. This tax is called the Franchise & Excise Tax. This tax is levied on certain legal entities, such as an LLC to enable them to exist & do business in the state. Although it is called the Franchise tax, it is an essential tax that an LLC has to pay at the time of filing. The current Franchise & Excise tax in the state of Tennessee is 6.5%
Federal Self-Employment Tax
All the members who run the LLC are self-employed members; because they pay themselves through the LLC. Federal Self Employment Tax, also known as Social Security or Medicare tax, is paid by all such members or managers. The Federal self-employment tax rate in Tennessee is 15.3 percent.
Federal Income Tax
If you are in the state of Tennessee, you must pay Federal Income Tax, in addition to the State Income Tax. The amount of the Federal Income Tax depends upon your earnings, the income tax bracket your LLC falls, the deductions, & the manner/ mode of filing.
You pay Federal Income Tax on all the profits your LLC makes after calculating the deductions & allowances such as Healthcare or Retirement Plans.
Employee & Employer Taxes
An LLC that has several employees on payroll has to pay the Employee-Employer taxes. These taxes are calculated on the basis of various factors, e.g., the amount earned, number of employees, etc.
Cost Comparison between states
Tennessee is surrounded by many states, namely Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, etc. Each of these states has a different rate of taxes levied on LLCs. Let us take a look at this comparative chart.
| States | Filing Fee | Annual/Biennial Fee | Sales Tax |
| Tennessee | $300+ | $300 | 7% |
| Kentucky | $40 | $15 | 6% |
| Virginia | $100 | Not Required | 5.3% |
| North Carolina | $125 | $200 | 4.75% |
| Georgia | $100 | $50 | 4% |
Based on the kind of industry you LLC operated in, your LLC will be liable to some other taxes & duties. For Example, if your LLC is in the sector of import & export, you have to pay the import-export duty. You should consult with a professional to verify the tax rates or business costs of registering an LLC in Tennessee.
Other Costs
- Tenneessee Name Reservation: $20 by mail
- Doing Business As (DBA): $20 for online filling or if filing by mail
- Certified Document Copies: $20 per page.
- Certified of Good Standing: $20
- Business Domain Name and Website: depend on your preference, but domain name could be as low as $2.99/yr at NameCheap, and web hosting is at least $30/mo at Kinsta.
- Online workspace: at least $4.20/mo for GSuite.
- Business Insurance: would vary depending on insurance type–whether general liability insurance or professional liability insurance–and coverage.
- Dissolution of Tennessee LLC: $20
How Much Does It Cost to Maintain an LLC in Tennessee
To maintain an LLC in Tennessee you will need to pay an annual fee of $300 along with state sales & use tax at 7%, state franchise & excise tax at 6.5% and federal taxes.
How Much Does It Cost to Maintain an LLC? This is one of the first questions that most business owners ask. While starting a business in Tennessee is a big step, you must be careful not to spend too much money on the first year’s registered agent. An inexpensive registered agent should cost no more than $100 a year, and will handle the correspondence for the company. After the first year, you will need to pay a small fee for a new registered agent.
If you wish to maintain your LLC in Tennessee, you must also pay various fees. These fees vary depending on the type of business you have. In Tennessee, you must pay payroll and self-employment taxes, which are required by law. There are also some special fees based on the nature of your business. To find out more information, visit the Tennessee Business Tax page. Listed below are the fees that you must pay to keep your LLC in good standing in the state of Tennessee.
The next step in the formation of an LLC in Tennessee is filing the Articles of Organization. These documents must be submitted to the Secretary of State’s office. Each member of your LLC should pay between $50 and $300 to process the articles. You must also pay for annual reports, business license applications, and renewals. In addition, you must budget for your taxes and business license fees as well. Fortunately, you can do it all online with the help of a registered agent service.
In addition to filing annual reports with the Secretary of State, LLCs in Tennessee must pay a small annual fee to register. The fee for this is $30 for a six-member LLC and $50 for each additional member. A CPA can help you calculate these fees so that you do not miss filing any of your required documents. If you’re not sure how much to pay to register your LLC in Tennessee, you should check the Tennessee Business Tax Manual to see what the requirements are.
Aside from paying fees for the initial startup, you should also pay the annual report fee. The annual report fee for an LLC is $50 per member and is due on the first of the fourth month of the company’s fiscal year. It’s a large expense, so be sure to budget for it before you start. It’s important to be aware of these costs in order to budget your business expenses.
The state filing fee represents the biggest line of spending when forming an LLC in Tennessee. Other fees include a registered agent, name reservation, and state taxes. Every Tennessee LLC needs a registered agent. These fees are listed below. There may be additional charges for these services, and they are all mandatory for an LLC to operate. If you need assistance, contact the Tennessee Department of Revenue. This office will help you file your taxes and answer your questions.
F.A.Qs
It is possible to form an LLC without professional help, but forms still have associated costs, regardless of where your LLC is formed.
It is difficult to say whether forming an LLC is expensive. Nevertheless, the cost could be anywhere from $40 to $500. If you refuse to hire professionals, you’ll still have expenses like form fees to cover.
The need to separate personal money from business funds, thus necessitating the creation of a business bank account for your LLC.
In Conclusion
The cost of Tennessee is much lower compared to other forms of business. Apart from the state filing fees and annual taxes, you might bear the cost of the registered agent. Compare the price of professional LLC services and choose the most affordable one.