How to Start an LLC in Tennessee (2026)

Full transcript

0:00 The short answer

Dan To start an LLC in Tennessee, you file Articles of Organization, Form SS-4270, with the Secretary of State, and pay $300 for up to six members.

Maya Up to six members? So the fee depends on headcount.

Dan Yes. It's $50 per member, with a $300 minimum.

Maya This is The Business Formation Podcast. Today, Tennessee for 2026, in six steps, with what it all costs and the three best ways to have it filed for you. What's step one?

0:32 Step 1: Choose a name

Dan Tennessee wants limited liability company, LLC, or L.L.C. in the name. It has to be distinguishable from names on record, too.

Maya Anything off limits?

Dan Words like bank or insurance company need another agency's approval first.

Maya How do I check my name?

Dan The Secretary of State's business entity search is free. A name reservation is $20.

0:55 Step 2: Name a registered agent

Maya What does the registered agent need in Tennessee?

Dan A person or business at a Tennessee street address. The Articles also list the county and an email.

Maya Can I use a P.O. box?

Dan No. The state doesn't accept one, and it verifies the address.

Maya Is all that public?

Dan Everything on the form is public record. That's why many owners hire a commercial agent. Changing agents later costs $20.

1:22 Step 3: File Articles of Organization

Maya How do I file?

Dan Submit Form SS-4270 online through TNCaB, the state's filing system. You can file by mail too.

Maya What does it ask for?

Dan A principal office, a business email for reminders, your fiscal year end, how the LLC is managed, and how many members it has.

Maya I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan.

Dan Nice to meet you, Maya. One more detail: if you pay by card, there's a convenience fee on top.

Maya And the fee itself?

Dan $50 per member, $300 minimum, $3,000 maximum.

1:57 Step 4: Write an operating agreement

Maya Does the Secretary of State want my operating agreement?

Dan No. You keep it with your records. There's no state fee.

Maya And if I don't write one?

Dan Tennessee's default LLC rules decide things like how profits are split. So write down who owns what, who makes decisions, and what happens if a member leaves.

2:16 Step 5: Get a free EIN

Maya Now the federal side.

Dan Apply for your EIN free with the IRS at IRS.gov, after the state files your Articles.

Maya How fast is that?

Dan If the online application is approved, the number is issued right away. Have the Social Security number or ITIN of the person in charge ready.

Maya Anything state-level after that?

Dan Yes. Tennessee LLCs register for franchise and excise tax with the Department of Revenue. The minimum franchise tax is $100.

Maya And the beneficial ownership report?

Dan Skip it. FinCEN no longer requires it from U.S. companies.

2:54 Step 6: File the annual report

Maya What's due every year?

Dan An annual report in TNCaB. The fee is $300 minimum, and $3,000 maximum.

Maya When?

Dan By the first day of the fourth month after your fiscal year ends. For a December year end, that's April 1.

Maya So the report isn't tied to the month I formed.

Dan Right. It's tied to your fiscal year end.

Maya What if I miss it?

Dan The LLC can be administratively dissolved. Reinstating costs $70, plus a tax clearance from the Department of Revenue.

3:28 What it costs

Maya Give me the do-it-yourself total.

Dan $300 to form with up to six members. Then a $300 annual report. Plus at least $100 in franchise tax.

Maya The EIN is free?

Dan Yes. And a name reservation is $20, and a change of agent is $20.

Maya So what's a first-year number?

Dan $300 to form. With a reservation, $320. The franchise tax comes after that.

3:57 How the member fee works

Maya Let me test the member math. I have four members.

Dan Four times $50 is $200, but the minimum is $300. So you pay $300.

Maya And six?

Dan Six times $50 is $300. Right at the minimum.

Maya And seven?

Dan $350. Every member past six adds $50, up to the $3,000 maximum.

4:24 Picking your registered agent

Maya Could I be my own agent?

Dan If you have a Tennessee street address, you can list yourself. The Articles also need the county and an email.

Maya What about a friend?

Dan Same test. A person or business at a street address, and no P.O. box.

Maya What happens to the address?

Dan It's on the public record, and the state verifies it. So many owners prefer a business.

Maya And a change?

Dan $20 to change agents.

4:51 Dissolution and reinstatement

Maya Let me press on the annual report. What really happens if I miss April 1?

Dan Late filers can be administratively dissolved. That's the state ending your LLC's standing.

Maya And the way back?

Dan Reinstatement is $70. You also need a tax clearance from the Department of Revenue.

Maya So the tax side matters.

Dan It does. The tax clearance is part of getting reinstated, so the Department of Revenue is involved either way.

5:18 First-year checklist

Maya Give me the order of operations.

Dan Search the name. Choose your agent at a Tennessee street address. File Form SS-4270 for $300 or more. Then get your EIN, register with the Department of Revenue, and write your operating agreement.

Maya And the calendar?

Dan Your annual report, the first day of the fourth month after your fiscal year ends.

Maya And the amount?

Dan $300 at the minimum.

5:46 The 3 best ways to file in Tennessee

Maya What if I want someone else to file it?

Dan Here are the three best ways to file in Tennessee. Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state fee. With the $300 state fee, checkout comes to $499.

Maya What does it cover?

Dan Your Form SS-4270 filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent every year. It renews at the same $199.

Maya And the annual report?

Dan In Tennessee, Mainstay prepares and files it on time every year. You pay only the state's fee, $300 for most LLCs.

Maya Number two?

Dan TN Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Articles for $199 plus the state fee, which is also $499 at checkout. The first year of agent service is free, then it's $99 a year.

Maya And number three?

Dan Tennessee Registered Agent.co. Same offer. $199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then $99 a year.

Maya How do I choose?

Dan If you'll file your own annual report, numbers two and three cost less from year two, at $99 a year for the agent alone. The $300 state fee is the same either way. If you want the report filed for you at one steady price, that's Mainstay.

7:21 Three years of service fees

Maya Three-year number?

Dan Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597. Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the next two years, for $397.

Maya A $200 gap.

Dan Yes, and in Tennessee, that gap pays for having your annual report filed on time.

7:44 Recap

Maya One more time through it?

Dan Choose a name with LLC in it, name an agent at a Tennessee street address, file Form SS-4270 for $300, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN, and file your $300 annual report every year.

Maya The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes. Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new Tennessee LLC.