Tennessee is one of the more expensive states to form an LLC. But the state filing fee is only part of the picture. This page breaks down every cost you'll encounter — formation, ongoing compliance, and optional services — so there are no surprises.
The Tennessee Secretary of State charges $300 to file your Articles of Organization. This is a one-time fee paid when you form the LLC. At $300, Tennessee is on the higher end nationally.
Tennessee charges $300 for the annual report (filed each year). Miss it, and you risk late fees and eventually administrative dissolution.
Tennessee tax note: Effective July 1, 2025: flat $300 annual report fee regardless of member count (previously $50/member, min $300, max $3,000). Formation fee is also $300 flat (was $50/member). Franchise tax: $0.25 per $100 of net worth (minimum $100). Excise tax: 6.5% of net earnings.
Every Tennessee LLC is required to maintain a registered agent. With our formation package, the first year of registered agent service is included. After that, ongoing service is $99/year.
If you need your LLC formed faster, the Tennessee Secretary of State offers expedited processing for $100. This typically reduces the turnaround from 5-10 business days to 24 hours.
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| State filing fee | $300 | One-time, paid to the Tennessee Secretary of State |
| Annual report | $300 | Filed annually with the Tennessee Secretary of State |
| Registered Agent service | $99/year | First year included with formation |
| Expedited processing | $100 | Optional — reduces turnaround to 24 hours |
If you form through us, your first-year cost is $199 — that covers our formation service, the $300 state fee, first-year registered agent service, operating agreement, and EIN assistance. There's nothing hidden.
After year one, your ongoing costs are: $99/year for registered agent + $300/year for the annual report.
Many LLC formation services charge $199-level fees but then tack on upsells: compliance packages, rush fees, unnecessary add-ons. Our fee is straightforward — $199 covers everything you need to get your Tennessee LLC filed and operational.