Vendor setup
Register a business in Tennessee
The filing office, forms, steps and next stops for registering a business in Tennessee. Every line shows the official page it came from, and the day we read it.
The order to do it in
Choose a business type and get your EIN first. Then file with the state filing office below, and check your city and county before you start work.
Filing office
- Tennessee entities are formed with the Secretary of State, Division of Business and Charitable Organizations (Business Services). Forms and fees are listed on its Business Forms & Fees page. Tennessee Secretary of State, as of
Forming an LLC
- A Tennessee LLC is formed by Articles of Organization (form SS-4270, rev. 01/25). File online through TNCaB, by mail, or in person at the Secretary of State. Tennessee Secretary of State, as of
- The LLC fee scales with the number of members, between a minimum and a maximum. Tennessee Secretary of State, as of
- Articles of Organization, per member: $50 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Tennessee Secretary of State, as of
- Articles of Organization, minimum fee: $300 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Tennessee Secretary of State, as of
- Articles of Organization, maximum fee: $3,000 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Tennessee Secretary of State, as of
Forming a corporation
- A Tennessee for-profit corporation is formed by filing a Charter For-Profit Corporation (form SS-4417) with the Secretary of State. Tennessee Secretary of State, as of
- Charter For-Profit Corporation filing fee: $100 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Tennessee Secretary of State, as of
Annual or biennial report
- Tennessee entities file annual reports through TNCaB. The LLC fee rises by an amount for each member over six. Tennessee Secretary of State, as of
- Corporation annual report fee: $20 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Tennessee Secretary of State, as of
- Added when the registered agent or office changes: $20 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Tennessee Secretary of State, as of
- LLC annual report fee, minimum: $300 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Tennessee Secretary of State, as of
- LLC annual report fee, maximum: $3,000 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Tennessee Secretary of State, as of
- LLC annual report fee, added for each member over six: $50 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Tennessee Secretary of State, as of
Assumed name (DBA)
- A Tennessee business uses an assumed name by filing an Application for Registration of Assumed Name (form SS-4402) with the Secretary of State. Tennessee Secretary of State, as of
- Application for Registration of Assumed Name: $20 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Tennessee Secretary of State, as of
State tax registration
- Businesses register with the Department of Revenue through the Tennessee Taxpayer Access Point (TNTAP), which accepts the business tax registration application electronically. Tennessee Department of Revenue, as of
Statewide business licence
- A business subject to Tennessee’s business tax registers with the Department of Revenue (TNTAP), then gets a business licence from its county and/or municipal clerk and pays the clerk a separate registration fee. In-state businesses need a minimal activity licence or a standard licence, depending on gross receipts, at the amounts below. Tennessee Department of Revenue, as of
- Registration fee paid to the county or municipal clerk: $15 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Tennessee Department of Revenue, as of
- Gross receipts above which a minimal activity licence is needed: $3,000 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Tennessee Department of Revenue, as of
- Gross receipts at which a standard licence is needed: $100,000 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Tennessee Department of Revenue, as of
State rules for pool, lifeguard and contractor work
These lines point to the state’s own rules. Whether one applies to your work is for the state to say, so confirm with the agency named in each line.
- Tennessee requires a contractor’s licence, issued by the Board for Licensing Contractors, for projects at or above the amount below when acting as a prime contractor. Subcontractors need one for electrical, plumbing, HVAC and similar work at that threshold. This is a general contractor rule, and the page does not name pool work. Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance, as of
- Tennessee rule 1200-23-05 classes pools restricted to residents and guests, including pools at apartments, condominiums, multi-family homeowner associations and subdivisions, as Type B public pools. Public pools need a permit, applied for through the local county health department. Lifeguard staffing applies to Type A pools, and to Type B pools when the public uses them. Tennessee Department of Health, as of
- Project size at which a contractor’s licence is needed: $25,000 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance, as of
City and county licences
City and county licences vary by place. Check with your city hall or county clerk before you start work.
Sources
- Business Forms & Fees Tennessee Secretary of State. As of .
- Articles of Organization Limited Liability Company (SS-4270, Rev. 01/25) Tennessee Secretary of State. As of .
- All Frequently Asked Questions for Businesses Tennessee Secretary of State. As of .
- Registration and Licensing Tennessee Department of Revenue. As of .
- Contractor (license requirements) Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance. As of .
- Rules of Tennessee Department of Health, Chapter 1200-23-05 Public Swimming Pools Tennessee Department of Health. As of .
Official pages change. Each line shows the day we last read it.
Last checked