Short answer: $300 to file, about $400 in year one, and about $400 a year after that. Minimum $300 formation + $100 minimum franchise tax = $400 for the first year.
We've pulled these figures from the Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business and Charitable Organizations's own pages. If something's changed since our last check, the state's portal wins, so it's worth a quick look before you pay.
First year vs every year after
Year one
$400
Minimum $300 formation + $100 minimum franchise tax = $400 for the first year.
Each year after
$400
At least $400 ($300 annual report minimum + $100 franchise minimum) plus applicable excise taxes.
With a formation service
| Route | Upfront | Registered agent |
|---|---|---|
| File it yourself | $300 | You serve, or hire one separately |
| Northwest | $339 | Included year one, then $125/yr |
| Bizee Basic | $300 | Free year one, then $149/yr |
| Bizee Standard | $499 | Free year one, then $149/yr |
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee's LLC filing fee is $300. That's the 3rd highest of 51 jurisdictions we track. The national median is $104, so Tennessee runs $196 above it.
| State | Fee | National rank (1 = highest) |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | $300 | 3 of 51 |
| Arkansas | $45 | 49 of 51 |
| Kentucky | $40 | 50 of 51 |
| Mississippi | $53 | 42 of 51 |
| North Carolina | $128 | 19 of 51 |
| Alabama | $208 | 6 of 51 |
Tennessee fees that apply here
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form SS-4270) | $300 | Variable: $50 per member, with a hard minimum of $300 and maximum of $3,000. Online payments add a 2.29% credit card fee or a $0.95 e-check fee. |
| Annual Report | $300 | annual, First day of the fourth month following the close of the LLC's fiscal year (April 1 for calendar-year LLCs). |
| Minimum state tax | $100 | Owed regardless of income |
| Name reservation (optional) | $20 | Not specified |
| Change of registered agent | $20 | Fee to file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent is $20. |
| Amendment | $20 | |
| Certificate of good standing | $20 | |
| Notice of Dissolution followed by Articles of Termination of Existence | $40 | |
| DBA / assumed name | $20 | state |
LLC cost and fees: Tennessee questions
What is the Tennessee LLC filing fee?
$300 for Articles of Organization (Form SS-4270). Variable: $50 per member, with a hard minimum of $300 and maximum of $3,000. Online payments add a 2.29% credit card fee or a $0.95 e-check fee.
How much does a Tennessee LLC cost per year?
About $400 a year in state fees. At least $400 ($300 annual report minimum + $100 franchise minimum) plus applicable excise taxes.
Does Tennessee charge a minimum LLC tax?
Yes. No personal income tax on earned income. Entity-level Franchise and Excise Tax applies. Franchise tax is 0.25% of net worth (minimum $100). Excise tax is 6.5% of net earnings (with a $50,000 standard net earnings deduction).
Is it cheaper to file a Tennessee LLC myself?
Yes, filing directly costs only the state fee. Services add convenience, a registered agent address and reminders. Northwest charges $39 plus the state fee, and Bizee's Basic package is $0 plus the state fee.
How much does expedited filing cost in Tennessee?
No separate expedited fee tier.
Sources and verification
Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.
Still being confirmed with the state: name reservation.duration, ra.self allowed, report.late penalty, foreign.fee.