Form Your Tennessee Nonprofit Corporation
Launch your mission in the Volunteer State with a $100 charter, fast 1-2 day online filing, and a clear path to 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status
Filed in Tennessee
The Volunteer State · TN
- State filing fee$100
- Processing time1-2 business days online via TNCaB
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$5 per year — due By the 1st day of the 4th fiscal month
- State tax rate6.5% excise tax on net earnings
Form your Tennessee Nonprofit — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your Tennessee Nonprofit
Free formation means you pay only the $100 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Nonprofit Corporation Charter filing
We prepare and submit your Nonprofit Corporation Charter 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.
Bylaws
Professionally drafted bylaws — defines ownership, voting, and profit splits.
Benefits of forming an Nonprofit in Tennessee
Tennessee pairs a low-cost, fast-filing nonprofit process with a deep philanthropic culture rooted in Nashville's healthcare and music communities and Memphis's logistics and charitable institutions. A $100 charter fee, 1-2 day online processing, and a $5 annual report make the Volunteer State one of the most affordable and efficient places to launch a mission-driven organization.
Eligibility for 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status once approved by the IRS
Tax-deductible donations that help attract grants and individual donors
Limited liability protection for directors, officers, and members
Access to Tennessee's strong philanthropic base in Nashville and Memphis
Low $5 per year ongoing annual report fee — among the most affordable in the nation
Eligibility to apply for state and federal grants reserved for nonprofits
Perpetual existence independent of founders or board turnover
Enhanced credibility with donors, partners, and the communities you serve
Key features of a Tennessee Nonprofit
- $100 state filing fee through the Tennessee Secretary of State
- Fast 1-2 business day online processing via TNCaB
- Low $5 per year ongoing annual report fee
- Pathway to 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status
- Minimum of 3 directors required to govern the nonprofit
Major industries in Tennessee
Form your Tennessee Nonprofit in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes 1-2 business days online via TNCaB.
- 01
Choose Your Nonprofit Name
Pick a distinguishable name and confirm availability through the Tennessee Secretary of State's business search. The name should reflect your charitable, educational, or religious mission.
- 02
Appoint a Board of Directors
Tennessee requires a minimum of 3 directors for a nonprofit corporation. Recruiting unrelated directors strengthens your governance and supports your IRS 501(c)(3) application.
- 03
File the Nonprofit Corporation Charter
Submit your Charter (nonprofit incorporation) to the Tennessee Secretary of State for the $100 filing fee. Online filing through TNCaB typically processes in 1-2 business days.
- 04
Adopt Bylaws and a Conflict-of-Interest Policy
Draft corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy. The IRS expects both when reviewing your tax-exemption application, and they govern how your board operates.
- 05
Obtain an EIN and Apply for 501(c)(3)
Get a free EIN from the IRS, then file Form 1023-EZ ($275) or the full Form 1023 ($600) to request federal tax-exempt status. This is a separate federal step from state incorporation.
- 06
Register for State Charitable Solicitation and Exemption
Register for charitable solicitation with Tennessee and apply for state tax exemption. These state steps are separate from the IRS 501(c)(3) approval.
Tennessee Nonprofit costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Tennessee Nonprofit requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Tennessee Nonprofit in 2026.
- File the Nonprofit Corporation Charter with the TN Secretary of State ($100)
- Appoint a board of at least 3 directors
- Maintain a registered agent with a physical Tennessee address
- Adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy
- Obtain an EIN and file IRS Form 1023-EZ or 1023 for 501(c)(3) status
- Register for Tennessee charitable solicitation and state tax exemption
- File the annual report ($5) and IRS Form 990 each year
Filing information
- Formation document
- Nonprofit Corporation Charter
- Filing agency
- Tennessee Secretary of State
- Registered agent
- Required
- Bylaws
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $20 (4 months)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $100 Tennessee state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, bylaws, and compliance.
Starter
- Nonprofit Corporation Charter 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)
- Bylaws
- 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 Nonprofit questions, answered
Common questions about forming an Nonprofit in Tennessee. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form a nonprofit in Tennessee?
The Nonprofit Corporation Charter filing fee is $100, paid to the Tennessee Secretary of State. Online filings through TNCaB typically process in 1-2 business days. The ongoing annual report fee is just $5 per year.
How many directors does a Tennessee nonprofit need?
Tennessee requires a minimum of 3 directors for a nonprofit corporation. Recruiting unrelated directors is recommended because it strengthens governance and supports your IRS 501(c)(3) application.
Is incorporating the same as getting 501(c)(3) status?
No. Filing the Charter with Tennessee creates your nonprofit corporation at the state level. Federal tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status is a separate step — you apply to the IRS using Form 1023-EZ or the full Form 1023 after you incorporate.
What is the difference between Form 1023-EZ and Form 1023?
Form 1023-EZ has a $275 user fee and is available to smaller organizations with gross receipts of $50,000 or less per year and assets of $250,000 or less. The full Form 1023 has a $600 user fee and is required for larger organizations. The EZ typically processes in 2-4 weeks, while the full 1023 can take 3-6 months.
Does a Tennessee nonprofit pay state taxes?
Tennessee imposes a 6.5% excise tax on net earnings and a minimum $100 franchise tax on for-profit entities, but qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofits can apply for exemption from these state taxes. State tax exemption is requested separately from your IRS approval.
Do I need to register for charitable solicitation in Tennessee?
Yes, most nonprofits that solicit donations in Tennessee must register for charitable solicitation with the state. This state registration is separate from both your incorporation and your IRS 501(c)(3) application.
What ongoing filings does a Tennessee nonprofit have?
Each year you file a Tennessee annual report ($5) by the first day of the fourth month after your fiscal year-end, and you file IRS Form 990 with the federal government. Keeping both current preserves your good standing and tax-exempt status.
Does my Tennessee nonprofit have to file a BOI report?
No. Under FinCEN's March 2025 interim final rule, US domestic entities and US persons are exempt from beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting. Only foreign-formed entities registered to do business in a US state still file.
Tennessee government filing resources
Filing fees for common Nonprofit 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.
$600 per the official Business Forms & Fees schedule (same as foreign for-profit corp).
Learn moreFREE — 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 (the same form is used by nonprofit corporations under the TN Nonprofit Corporation Act, T.C.A.
Learn more$70.00 flat Secretary of State reinstatement filing fee per SS-9410 (the same form is used by nonprofit corporations under the TN Nonprofit Corporation Act).
Learn moreEverything you need to run your Tennessee Nonprofit
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Ready to form your Tennessee Nonprofit?
Formation is free — you pay only the $100 Tennessee state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in 1-2 business days online via TNCaB.
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