Tennessee LLC Cost
Last updated:
What an Tennessee LLC really costs: the $300 filing, recurring report fees, optional services, and a five-year total.
The minimum state cost to start an LLC in Tennessee is $300. Keeping it in good standing then costs $300 a year in report fees, plus any entity-level tax. Here is the full breakdown.
One-time formation costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Formation document (Articles of Organization) | $300 |
| Name reservation (optional) | Typically $10 to $50 |
| Certified copy of the filing (optional) | Typically $5 to $30 |
| Expedited processing (optional) | Varies widely by state and speed |
| EIN | $0 directly from the IRS |
Recurring costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Annual or biennial report | $300 per year |
| Franchise or entity tax | Franchise & Excise tax |
| Registered agent (optional) | $0 if you serve, or about $50 to $300 per year |
Total over five years
Assuming you file every required report on time, act as your own registered agent, and exclude entity-level taxes and optional extras, five years of state fees in Tennessee add up to about $1,800: $300 to form plus $1,500 in report fees. First-year state fees alone are about $600.
Optional professional services
- Formation services: many charge $0 to $299 on top of the state fee, and some upsell items you can do free
- Operating agreement: free to write yourself, or a few hundred dollars for an attorney-drafted version
- Registered agent: about $50 to $300 per year if you do not serve yourself
- Accounting and tax preparation: depends on complexity and is often the largest ongoing cost
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee's LLC filing fee is $300, $200 above the national median of $100. 47 of the 51 jurisdictions (50 states and DC) charge less to file. Filing fees are only part of the picture, so the table below sets Tennessee beside five states founders often consider.
| State | LLC filing fee | Annual report | Franchise or entity tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | $300 | $300 yearly | Franchise & Excise tax |
| Delaware | $110 | $300 yearly | Franchise tax $300 LLC / variable corp |
| Wyoming | $100 | $60 yearly | None |
| Nevada | $425 | $350 yearly | Commerce Tax (revenue > $4M) |
| Texas | $300 | No fee yearly | Franchise tax (no-tax-due < $1.23M) |
| Florida | $125 | $138.75 yearly | None |
Forming outside the state where you live and work rarely saves money. A business operating in Tennessee that forms elsewhere generally still has to register as a foreign LLC in Tennessee and pay both states' fees. Our best states for an LLC guide explains when an out-of-state filing makes sense.
Tennessee specific notes
Tennessee LLC formation fee is $50 per member with a $300 minimum / $3,000 maximum. The Franchise & Excise Tax applies to most LLCs (with a SMLLC/disregarded exception in some cases).
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to start an LLC in Tennessee?
What does it cost to keep a Tennessee LLC active?
Is it cheaper to form in another state?
Are there hidden costs to forming an LLC?
Sources & further reading
Disclaimer: Legal information, not legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney or CPA in your state. See our full disclaimer.