LLC Formation Cost in Tennessee (2026): Full Fee Breakdown

LLC Formation in Tennessee typically costs $825, with real-world totals ranging from $300 to $2,400 once 4 mandatory fees are included.

Updated September 4, 2026 · Typical turnaround 5 days · Estimates in USD

Low

$300

File yourself directly with the state; act as your own registered agent.

Average · typical

$825

Most people pay close to this once mandatory add-ons are included.

High

$2,400

Attorney-prepared filing, fastest expedite, commercial agent, drafted operating agreement, first-year recurring fees.

Estimate your out-of-pocket total

Pick your option and toggle the add-ons that apply to you.

Option

Add-on fees

State filing fee (Articles of Organization) Mandatory Paid once to the Tennessee Secretary of State (sos.tn.gov). $300
Annual report ($50/member, $300 minimum) (first year) Mandatory Recurring state filing to keep the LLC in good standing. $300
Franchise & excise tax (minimum) (first year minimum) Mandatory Owed even with zero revenue. $100
Registered agent service (annual) Optional Legally required role, but you can serve as your own agent for free if you have an in-state street address. $125
Operating agreement (template or attorney) Optional Not filed with the state, but banks and courts expect one. $99
EIN from the IRS Mandatory Free at irs.gov; third parties charge $50–$100 for the same form. $0

Why the llc formation price varies so much

The headline "Tennessee LLC filing fee" is only the first line of the real cost. Between the state fee, registered-agent service, expedite tiers, and the recurring fees that come due in year one, a Tennessee LLC realistically costs between $300 and $2,400 to launch. The tables below itemize each fee, flag which ones are mandatory, and let you total up your own formation budget.

What drives the number in Tennessee

Tennessee charges $50 per member with a $300 floor and $3,000 cap for both formation and the annual report, plus a $100 minimum franchise tax. Official fee schedule: sos.tn.gov.

LLC Formation price by option

Base price for each tier before the add-on fees listed below.

Option / tier	Price (USD)	vs. average
DIY filing (state fee only)	$300	-64%
Budget formation service	$350	-58%
Full-service formation (EIN + operating agreement)	$500	-39%
Attorney-prepared formation	$1,200	+45%

Hidden fees and surcharges

Mandatory line items add about $700 on top of the base price. Optional items only apply if you use them.

Line item	Status	Typical cost	Why it exists
State filing fee (Articles of Organization)	Mandatory	$300	Paid once to the Tennessee Secretary of State (sos.tn.gov).
Annual report ($50/member, $300 minimum) (first year)	Mandatory	$300	Recurring state filing to keep the LLC in good standing.
Franchise & excise tax (minimum) (first year minimum)	Mandatory	$100	Owed even with zero revenue.
EIN from the IRS	Mandatory	$0	Free at irs.gov; third parties charge $50–$100 for the same form.
Registered agent service (annual)	Optional	$125	Legally required role, but you can serve as your own agent for free if you have an in-state street address.
Operating agreement (template or attorney)	Optional	$99	Not filed with the state, but banks and courts expect one.
Mandatory add-ons total		$700

How to use this estimate

Budget the mandatory column first: it is the amount you cannot avoid in year one. Everything in the optional column is a choice — you can be your own registered agent and draft your own operating agreement.
Only pay for expedited processing if a bank account or contract deadline depends on it; standard online filings are usually processed within days.
Put the recurring deadline on your calendar the day you file. Late penalties and loss of good standing cost more than the recurring fee itself.

LLC Formation in Tennessee: questions people ask

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

The Tennessee state filing fee is $300. A realistic first-year total including a registered agent and the first recurring filing is about $825; using an attorney and the fastest expedite pushes it toward $2,400.

What are the annual fees for a Tennessee LLC?

Each year a Tennessee LLC pays $300 for the annual report ($50/member, $300 minimum) and a $100 minimum franchise & excise tax (minimum) — $400 in total before any registered agent fee. Tennessee charges $50 per member with a $300 floor and $3,000 cap for both formation and the annual report, plus a $100 minimum franchise tax.

Can I expedite LLC formation in Tennessee?

Tennessee does not sell a formal expedite tier; online filings are typically processed within a few business days at the standard $300 fee.

Do I need a registered agent for a Tennessee LLC?

Yes, every Tennessee LLC must list a registered agent with a physical in-state address. You can act as your own agent at no cost, or hire a commercial service for $49–$299 per year (about $125 is typical).

What happens if I miss the Tennessee annual report ($50/member, $300 minimum) deadline?

Tennessee does not publish a fixed late fee, but missing the filing puts the LLC out of good standing and can trigger administrative dissolution; reinstatement requires back filings and extra fees.

Is Tennessee an expensive state to form an LLC in?

Tennessee's $300 filing fee compares with a national low of $35 (Montana) and highs of $500 (Massachusetts). Counting recurring costs, Tennessee owes $400 per year to the state, versus $800+ in California and $0 in states like Missouri and New Mexico.