Form an LLC in Tennessee.
Filing an LLC in Tennessee costs $300 for the Articles of Organization. With a registered agent service ($99/yr) and the Year-1 annual obligations, a typical first-year cost lands near $799. Ongoing cost runs about $499/year.
Run the numbers for Tennessee.
Estimates only. Verify with the Tennessee Secretary of State before paying. Not legal advice.
Tennessee LLC fees, line by line
| Component | Cost / Rule | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization filing fee | $300 | One-time charge to register the LLC with the state. |
| Annual report | $300 / year | Late or missed reports trigger administrative dissolution in most states. |
| TN Franchise & Excise Tax (min) | $100 / year | Minimum due regardless of revenue. Most states with a franchise tax scale it with revenue or capital above this floor. |
| Registered agent | Required | Every state requires a registered agent. You can be your own RA in your home state at no cost; commercial services run $35–$300/yr. |
| Expedited filing | Available | Typical add-on $50–$100 for 1–3 day turnaround. |
TN Franchise & Excise Tax (min) in Tennessee
Tennessee charges a minimum tn franchise & excise tax (min) of $100/year regardless of revenue. This is a recurring annual cost — often larger than the one-time filing fee — so factor it into your decision before forming in Tennessee.
Should you form in this state if you don't live here?
For most operators, the answer is no. An LLC pays state income tax wherever it operates, not where it's formed. Forming in Tennessee while doing business in another state means paying both states' fees plus a foreign-qualification fee in your operating state. Real reasons to form in a non-home state: pure IP holdcos, real estate holdcos in the property state, asset-protection structures, or non-US residents with no US nexus. Full breakdown of when forming out-of-state pays off →
Sources & verification
Compare Tennessee with other states
See the full ranking — best states to form an LLC → Compare formation services →