Form Your Tennessee LLC
Establish your business in the Volunteer State with no personal income tax, the nation's healthcare capital, and a booming economy
Filed in Tennessee
The Volunteer State · TN
- State filing fee$300 minimum
- Processing time1-2 business days
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$300 minimum — due April 1st annually
- State tax rate6.5% excise tax on net earnings
Form your Tennessee LLC — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your Tennessee LLC
Free formation means you pay only the $300 minimum state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Organization filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Organization to the Tennessee Secretary of State.
Registered agent
Required in Tennessee — we act as your agent for the first year.
EIN from the IRS
Your federal Tax ID — required to open a US business bank account and file taxes.
Operating agreement
Professionally drafted operating agreement — defines ownership, voting, and profit splits.
Benefits of forming an LLC in Tennessee
Tennessee offers no personal income tax on wages, making it attractive for entrepreneurs. Nashville is the healthcare capital of the US, while Memphis is a major logistics hub (FedEx headquarters). The state has a booming economy with growing tech, entertainment, and tourism sectors.
No state personal income tax on wages
Two major business hubs: Nashville and Memphis
Booming healthcare industry centered in Nashville
Growing tech scene and startup ecosystem
Strategic central US location with major logistics hub
Music, entertainment, and tourism industries
Key features of a Tennessee LLC
- No personal income tax on wages
- Nashville - healthcare capital of the US
- Memphis - major logistics hub (FedEx)
- Higher filing fees ($300 minimum)
Major industries in Tennessee
Form your Tennessee LLC in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes 1-2 business days.
- 01
Choose Your LLC Name
Your name must include 'Limited Liability Company,' 'LLC,' or 'L.L.C.' Check availability through the Tennessee Secretary of State's business search.
- 02
Appoint a Registered Agent
Tennessee requires a registered agent with a physical address in the state to accept legal documents on behalf of your LLC.
- 03
File Articles of Organization
Submit your Articles of Organization to the Tennessee Secretary of State. The filing fee is $300 minimum (based on number of members). Online filing is available.
- 04
Create an Operating Agreement
Tennessee does not require an Operating Agreement, but having one is strongly recommended.
- 05
Obtain an EIN
Apply for a free EIN from the IRS for tax filing, banking, and hiring employees.
- 06
File Annual Report
Tennessee LLCs must file an annual report by April 1st. The fee is $300 minimum.
Tennessee LLC costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Tennessee LLC requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Tennessee LLC in 2026.
- File Articles of Organization with TN Secretary of State ($300 min)
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical Tennessee address
- Create an Operating Agreement (recommended)
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS
- File annual report by April 1st ($300 min)
- Pay franchise and excise taxes
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Organization
- Filing agency
- Tennessee Secretary of State
- Registered agent
- Required
- Operating agreement
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $20 (4 months)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $300 minimum Tennessee state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, operating agreement, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Organization filing
- Name availability check
- Digital document delivery
- Formation status tracking
Booster
- Everything in Starter
- Registered agent (required in Tennessee)
- EIN / Federal Tax ID
- Expedited processing (1–2 days)
- Operating agreement
- Priority support
- Kicker Voice — 3-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 15 days
Founder
- Everything in Booster
- Business mailing address
- Bookkeeping — 3 months free
- Dedicated account manager
- Rush processing
- Kicker Voice — 6-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 30 days
Kicker
- Everything in Founder
- ITIN filing & preparation
- Same-day priority processing
- 2nd year annual filing $0
- Kicker Voice 12-day + Kicker Pay 60 days free
Compare all plans on our pricing page.
Tennessee LLC questions, answered
Common questions about forming an LLC in Tennessee. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Tennessee?
The filing fee is $300 minimum ($50 per member, $300 minimum). The annual report is also $300 minimum. Our service fee starts at $100 plus state fees.
Does Tennessee have personal income tax?
No. Tennessee does not tax wages or salary. The state eliminated its Hall Tax on investment income in 2021, making it fully income-tax-free for individuals.
Why is Nashville good for healthcare businesses?
Nashville is the healthcare capital of the US, home to HCA Healthcare, Community Health Systems, and over 900 healthcare companies. The city's healthcare ecosystem is unmatched.
When is the Tennessee annual report due?
The annual report is due by April 1st each year. The fee is $300 minimum.
Can I form a Tennessee LLC online?
Yes, you can file online through the Tennessee Secretary of State's website.
What is the excise tax?
Tennessee imposes a 6.5% excise tax on the net earnings of LLCs doing business in the state. This applies in addition to the franchise tax.
Tennessee government filing resources
Filing fees for common LLC services
Official Tennessee state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
$20 for all entity types.
Flat $20 filing fee for all entity types (does NOT vary by entity type).
Learn more$20 per set/document via form SS-4461 'Request for a Certificate or Request for Certified Copies'.
$2.00 per document for an Apostille or an Authentication, stated on form SS-4504.
FREE — Tennessee charges no fee to register for a sales & use tax account (fee_usd null = no fee, confirmed on the Dept of Revenue registration page and SUT-10).
Learn more$20.00 filing fee per SS-4534 (one form and fee for all entity types).
Learn more$70.00 flat Secretary of State reinstatement filing fee per SS-9410 (one form and fee for all entity types).
Learn moreEverything you need to run your Tennessee LLC
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Ready to form your Tennessee LLC?
Formation is free — you pay only the $300 minimum Tennessee state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in 1-2 business days.
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