How to Start a Tennessee LLC in 2022

Are you looking to form a limited liability company (LLC) in the state of Tennessee, but you’re not sure how the formation process works? There are several important steps when it comes to creating a Tennessee LLC that is compliant and able to do business in the state.

To get started, please reference our 6-step guide below or hire an affordable online LLC formation service.

What is a Tennessee LLC?

The Tennessee LLC is one of the most popular business structures in state. It's a more casual and flexible type of business than a corporation, but includes personal asset protection that's lacking from sole proprietorships and general partnerships.

LLCs in Tennessee have simple formation and maintenance requirements, several options for how they can be taxed, and flexible management. From one-person businesses to multi-member LLCs with several owners, the LLC is a popular choice for a reason.

Forming an LLC in Tennessee (in 6 Steps)

Step One) Choose an LLC Name

Your LLC’s name is often the first impression you get to make on potential customers, and therefore it goes without saying that this is an important step. There are a few different aspects to take into consideration when selecting a name for your business:

Legalities

In the state of Tennessee, every limited liability company is required to have either the initials “LLC” or the phrase “limited liability company” in the name. In addition, you cannot include any words that refer to other business types (like “corporation” or “incorporated”), and you also can’t use words that are typically used to refer to specific kinds of businesses (like “bank” or “law office”).

Explanatory Naming

Another aspect to consider is including language that explains what your business does ― for example, if you’re a plumber, put the word “plumber” or “plumbing” in your LLC name. Additionally, if your business has strong values like being environmentally friendly, you can indicate that by including the word “green.”

Get Your Business Domain

To fully embrace the business name, register your URL. With GoDaddy you’ll be able to quickly build a company website so that nobody else can use or take it.

Step Two) Designate a Registered Agent

Every LLC in Tennessee is required to designate a registered agent, which is the individual or registered agent service that receives government correspondence on behalf of your business, then forwards those documents to you.

According to the Tennessee Secretary of State,

A corporation transacting business in Tennessee is required to have a person or legal entity located in this State designated to receive documents on its behalf, and this function is served by the registered agent. The registered agent’s name and street address in Tennessee must be on file with the Division of Business Services at all times.”

Without a registered agent, you could lose your good standing with the state of Tennessee, and the state also has the right to dissolve your LLC if they decide to. In a worst-case scenario, the state could fail to alert you regarding a lawsuit against your company, which could even lead to a judgment against your business because you didn’t defend yourself.

Step Three) File Formation Documents with State

Once you are ready to form your Tennessee limited liability company, you will fill out the articles of organization.

This is THE document that will register your LLC with the state. You’ll want to ensure all of the following information is correct on the form:

• Your chosen business name
• Name and address of your registered agent
• Management style (member-managed or manager-managed)
• Name(s) and address(es) of the LLC’s manager
• Name and address of the LLC’s organizer
• Signature of organizer and registered agent
• Effective date

You can file this form by creating an account here or downloading this form and mailing it to the Secretary of State.

Cost to Form an LLC: The state of Tennessee charges a $300 minimum fee to form an LLC.

Processing Time: It can take 4-5 business days for the state to process your mailed-in Tennessee LLC formation paperwork and get your finalized documents in the mail to you. You can also file online and have your filings back within 2-3 business days. Or, if you’re able to drop off your documents in person, you can have your filings processed in one business day. The state charges a $50 fee per member of an LLC, but there is a $300 minimum requirement. The maximum fee is $3,000. Please note that the estimate of business days begins once ALL required paperwork is in order and filed correctly.

Step Four) Create an Operating Agreement

After you register an LLC in Tennessee, create a detailed outline that explains how you will run and manage your new business. Even though it doesn’t need to be filed with the state, put one together and keep it for your records.

When you open a bank account, you may be asked for this document in order to open an account. You’ll also want to keep in mind that any future business partners or managing members may also be interested in seeing your Operating Agreement before joining your company. After all, this document essentially serves as your overall plan for success.

An attorney can help you outline your Operating Agreement or create one from a free template online. You can read more about Operating Agreements here, but some of the basic information you’ll want to have includes:

• Individual members' ownership percentages
• Rights and responsibilities
• Voting powers and meeting guidelines
• Allocation of profits and losses
• Management rules for the LLC
• Provisions for buying a member owner out, or transferring their shares in the case of illness or death

Step Five) Handle Taxation Requirements

Federal Requirements

The vast majority of LLCs require a federal tax ID number, or EIN. An EIN is basically the business version of a social security number, and it’s used for a variety of important LLC functions.

For instance, you’ll need an EIN if you want to hire any employees, and many banks require them to open business bank accounts as well. You’ll also need one for tax purposes, hence the name federal tax ID number. Get an EIN for your LLC for free through the IRS.

State Requirements

When it comes to state-level LLC taxes, Tennessee levies these taxes based on the nature of your business. Normally, LLCs are responsible to pay income taxes, but since Tennessee only taxes income from stocks, bonds, and other investments, you likely won’t be responsible for income taxes. However, LLCs are responsible for the state’s Franchise Tax. You can read more about this tax here.

LLCs involved in retail sales are also responsible for the state’s streamlined sales tax. The current rate is 7%; you can read an in-depth guide for the tax here.

LLC owners with employees are also required to pay a number of taxes. For example, Tennessee employers are also required to make payments to the state’s unemployment insurance. While it’s not technically a tax, you do need to pay it on a regular basis, so we’ve included it in this section. You can learn more about this fund at Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

In addition to these general taxes, Tennessee also requires taxes specific to particular industries. For example, there are taxes on fantasy sports, beer, and more. You can learn more about the state’s business taxes and file them online here.

Local Requirements

Depending on where in Tennessee your business is located, you could also need to pay some local taxes. For example, some counties levy additional sales taxes. There are also a few other local taxes, which you can learn about here. We recommend that you contact your local government office to be sure you don’t overlook any local obligations.

Step Six) Obtain Business Licenses and Permits

If your business has more than $10,000 in taxable annual sales, you’ll need to obtain a business license. You can read more about the Tennessee business license here.

Tennessee also upholds the licensure required by the federal government for certain occupations, including agriculture, aviation, and more. Please consult the Small Business Association’s listings for federally-regulated industries requiring licensure.

And much like the state has industry-specific tax requirements, it also has licenses and permits that are required for businesses in certain industries. Tennessee has hundreds of these licenses, so there’s a good chance at least one of them applies to your LLC. We recommend that every LLC owner search through the state database of licenses for businesses here, and don’t forget that your local government may require licenses or permits as well.

Next Steps: What to do After Creating a Tennessee LLC

Open a business bank account

We highly recommend that you establish a separate business banking account so that your business and personal finances are maintained completely separate. This is important because it helps protect your personal assets and also makes filing taxes much easier. Once you receive your EIN from the IRS, you’ll be able to use it to establish an account at the bank or credit union of your choice.

Get Business Insurance

Every Tennessee business with employees is strictly required to acquire workers’ compensation insurance. For more information on this policy, check out the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Essentially, this policy helps to pay your employees when a work injury or illness keeps them from working. After you obtain these legally required policies, it’s probably also a good idea to pursue general liability insurance, as well as some industry-specific policies.

Understand income reporting

Income reporting is just what it sounds like – reporting the income you made from your business. It’s important to note that you must file this form whether you made or lost money over the course of the year. Since Tennessee doesn’t charge income taxes, your obligations for income reporting are minimal. However, you can find other information and forms for taxes in Tennessee here.

Understand annual reporting

Tennessee requires that all LLCs file an annual report. You can file it online here; this report is due within four months of the anniversary of your LLCs anniversary. Please note that the fee structure for the annual report is the same as the articles of organization. You’ll need to pay a minimum of $300 and $50 per member up to $3,000. Your annual report will essentially serve to update the state on any pertinent information regarding your business that has changed over the course of the year.

Find an accountant

We don’t recommend that you attempt to manage your business finances without the help of a professional. There is too much room for error, and a professional can ultimately save you time and money by guiding you on how best to manage your business finances. At a minimum, enlist professional help to set you up with software and the steps for keeping up with your finances on a regular basis. Then, consult back with your accountant at least a couple of times per year – and especially at tax time – to ensure you’re keeping track of everything correctly.