Tennessee Secretary of State

How Much Does an LLC Cost in Tennessee?

Forming an LLC in Tennessee means filing the Articles of Organization with the Tennessee Secretary of State. The calculator below separates official government fees from estimates, and fixed costs from variable ones.

Entity type

LLC Corporation

An S corporation is a federal tax election, not a state entity type — both LLCs and corporations may qualify for it.

Registered agent

Act as my own agent — $0Generally allowed if you have an in-state address and are available during business hoursHire a service — about $200/yrMarket estimate (typically $100–$300/yr), not a state fee

First-year government fees — Tennessee LLC

$300

Official state fees

Articles of Organization filing fee (minimum)$300

Ongoing fixed fees

Annual report fee (minimum)Due the first day of the fourth month after the LLC's fiscal year end, beginning the year after formation$300 / yr

≈ $300/yr annualized for comparison — actual payment schedule shown above.

Five-year outlook

Fixed government fees (5 yrs)$1,500

Estimated total (5 yrs)$1,500

Varies by business — excluded from totals

Annual report fee above the minimum. $50 per member for every member over six, up to a $3,000 cap.
Franchise & excise tax. Tennessee's franchise tax (0.25% of net worth, $100 minimum) and excise tax (6.5% of net earnings) apply to LLCs and corporations alike unless an exemption applies. Because both pieces depend on the business's finances, they are shown separately from fixed totals.

Educational estimate based on official fee schedules verified July 12, 2026 — not legal or tax advice. Fees, rules, and processing times change; confirm with the state or a qualified professional before relying on them.

The numbers behind this page

Every figure comes from the typed data record for Tennessee, verified July 12, 2026 against the sources listed at the bottom of this page.

Formation fees — Tennessee LLC
Fee	Amount	Schedule	Type
Articles of Organization filing fee (minimum) $50 per member at filing, with a $300 minimum and $3,000 maximum — LLCs with up to six members pay the $300 minimum.	$300	One-time	Official state fee

† Partially verified — corroborated but not confirmed on a machine-readable official page.

Recurring & conditional obligations — Tennessee LLC
Fee	Amount	Schedule	Type
Annual report fee (minimum) $50 per member with a $300 minimum and $3,000 maximum, mirroring the formation fee.	$300	AnnualDue the first day of the fourth month after the LLC's fiscal year end, beginning the year after formation	Official state fee
Annual report fee above the minimum $50 per member for every member over six, up to a $3,000 cap.	Varies	Conditional	Official state fee
Franchise & excise tax Tennessee's franchise tax (0.25% of net worth, $100 minimum) and excise tax (6.5% of net earnings) apply to LLCs and corporations alike unless an exemption applies. Because both pieces depend on the business's finances, they are shown separately from fixed totals.	Varies	VariableFiled annually with the Department of Revenue	Official state fee

Filing process & processing times

File online through the Secretary of State's business portal or by mail.

Processing options for Tennessee LLC filings
Option	Typical turnaround	Added fee	Notes
Standard processing	0–3 business days	None	Online filings are typically processed within a few business days

Processing times are estimates based on currently available official guidance and change with filing volume — they are not guaranteed.

Registered agent costs

Every Tennessee LLCmust continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical in-state address. Acting as your own agent costs $0 where you meet the state's eligibility rules; commercial services typically run $100–$300 per year. The calculator uses $200 — the midpoint of that range — when you choose a hired service.

Midpoint of the typical advertised price range for national commercial registered-agent services as of July 2026 (e.g. Northwest Registered Agent $125/yr, ZenBusiness $199/yr, LegalZoom $249/yr). Budget providers advertise below this range and premium corporate-service firms above it. Serving as your own agent costs $0 where you meet state eligibility rules.

Worth knowing about Tennessee

Tennessee LLC fees scale with membership: $50 per member with a $300 floor on both formation and the annual report — corporations pay a flat $100 charter fee and just $20 a year.
Tennessee has no tax on wage income, but its franchise & excise taxes reach LLCs as well as corporations, which surprises many owners.

Tennessee LLC cost FAQs

How much does it cost to start an LLC in Tennessee?

The Tennessee Secretary of State charges $300 to file the Articles of Organization. That figure excludes optional services and any variable taxes, which depend on your circumstances.

What are the ongoing costs of an LLC in Tennessee?

Tennessee LLCs generally must pay the annual report fee (minimum) of $300 per year (due the first day of the fourth month after the LLC's fiscal year end, beginning the year after formation). In addition, annual report fee above the minimum and franchise & excise tax may apply depending on your revenue, assets, or activity — these are variable, so they aren't included in fixed totals.

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

Online filings are often processed the same day. Tennessee does not currently offer a paid expedited tier for this filing. Processing times change with filing volume, so confirm current turnaround with the state before relying on a date.

Do I need a registered agent for an LLC in Tennessee?

Yes. Every Tennessee LLC must continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state to receive legal and official mail. You can generally act as your own agent at no cost if you meet the state's eligibility rules, or hire a commercial service — typically $100–$300 per year. Whether serving as your own agent is practical depends on your circumstances, including privacy and availability during business hours.

How does the Tennessee annual report fee above the minimum work for LLCs?

$50 per member for every member over six, up to a $3,000 cap. Because the amount depends on factors like revenue or assets, it is shown separately and never folded into the fixed totals above. Consult a qualified tax professional about how it may apply to you.

What this page doesn't cover

Federal, state, and local taxes beyond the fixed fees shown — income-dependent taxes are listed as variable obligations and never included in exact totals.
Business licenses, local permits, industry-specific registrations, and DBA filings.
Attorney, accountant, or filing-service fees beyond the labeled registered-agent estimate.
Whether an LLC — or Tennessee — is the right choice for your situation. FormedIn provides general educational information, not legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice, and nothing here recommends an entity type or formation state for any specific person.

Fees, rules, deadlines, and processing times change. Confirm current requirements with the Tennessee Secretary of State and consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or tax professional about your specific circumstances.

Sources

Tennessee data last verified July 12, 2026.

Business Services — Forms and Fees— Tennessee Secretary of StateOfficialaccessed July 12, 2026
Franchise & Excise Tax— Tennessee Department of RevenueOfficialaccessed July 12, 2026
How Much Does a Registered Agent Cost? 2026 Guide— RegisteredAgentCost.comaccessed July 12, 2026
How Much Does a Registered Agent Cost?— ZenBusinessaccessed July 12, 2026