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How to start an LLC in Tennessee: checklist (2026)

To start an LLC in Tennessee, file the Articles of Organization Limited Liability Company (SS-4270) with the Tennessee Secretary of State for $300, name a registered agent, get a free EIN and check your local licenses. Mainstay Filing, our best overall pick, does the filing, the agent, the EIN application and the report for $199 a year.

  • Official sources, checked October 20, 2026

Tennessee checklist

  1. File the formation document. Articles of Organization Limited Liability Company (SS-4270), Tennessee Secretary of State, $300. $50 per member, with a $300 minimum (one to six members) and a $3,000 maximum.
  2. Name a registered agent. Required. A Tennessee resident, or a business entity formed in Tennessee or authorized there with an office at the registered office street address.
  3. Get an EIN. Free from the IRS online.
  4. Check licenses. We could not confirm a general-license statement from Tennessee’s own pages, so check with your city or county. The state’s starting-a-business page is a good place to begin.
  5. Keep it current. Annual Report, yearly: $300, due on or before the first day of the fourth month following the close of the llc's fiscal year.
Best overall in Tennessee

Mainstay Filing

Our rating: 4.9 out of 5

$199 / year, same at renewal

  • LLC formation, prepared and filed
  • Registered agent, all year
  • EIN application (with an SSN or ITIN)
  • Annual report filed every year it is due where the state requires one
  • Compliance reminders and stored documents

Price from the Mainstay Filing pricing and FAQ pages, checked October 21, 2026. State fees are passed through at cost and shown before you pay.

Questions

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

The state filing fee is $300 for the Articles of Organization Limited Liability Company (SS-4270). The first Annual Report later costs $300.

Do I need a registered agent in Tennessee?

Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

Do I need a business license in Tennessee?

We could not confirm a general-license statement from Tennessee’s own pages, so check with your city or county. The state’s starting-a-business page is a good place to begin.

Sources