Class 1 · Tennessee
How to Start an LLC in Tennessee (2026): a 7-Step Lesson and the 3 Best LLC Services
Before you begin
In this lesson
- The official fee and form in Tennessee
- What the agent rule says
- The yearly upkeep
- The services we recommend
Who we would hire in Tennessee
1. Mainstay Filing: best for one bill for filing and upkeep
Mainstay Filing gets our top grade for Tennessee: $199 a year hands off the formation, the registered agent role and the annual report to someone else.
You pay $200 more than at TN Registered Agent.org over three years and do less of the paperwork yourself.
It also files the annual report for you, and Tennessee's $300 fee is billed at cost.
What the price covers
- Your formation filing is prepared and submitted
- Registered agent for twelve months
- Annual report prepared and filed
- Official fee, at cost
Marks in its favor
- $199 yearly, everything in one
- No jump at renewal ($199)
Where it loses points
- $100 a year more than TN Registered Agent.org's renewal
2. TN Registered Agent.org: best for an inexpensive Tennessee start
Taking second place is TN Registered Agent.org, where $199 gets you started with a free first agent year, and $99 each year from year two.
The annual report remains on your to-do list every year.
What the price covers
- The filing is done for you
- The first year of agent service
Marks in its favor
- $199 and the state fee
- Then $99 a year
- A free first agent year
Where it loses points
- There is no annual report service
- The EIN application is not included ($99)
3. Tennessee Registered Agent.co: best for LLCs that stay in Tennessee
Taking third place is Tennessee Registered Agent.co, where $199 gets you started with a free first agent year, and $99 each year from year two.
The annual report remains on your to-do list every year.
Its prices equal TN Registered Agent.org's, so either is a sound choice.
What the price covers
- The filing is done for you
- The first year of agent service
Marks in its favor
- A free first agent year
- $199 and the state fee
- Then $99 a year
Where it loses points
- There is no annual report service
- The EIN application is not included ($99)
Our Tennessee picks side by side
| # | Service | First year | From year two | Three-year total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | $199 | $199/yr | $597 | Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | TN Registered Agent.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit TN Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | Tennessee Registered Agent.co | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit Tennessee Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
The steps
-
Step
1Come up with a name
Use the business search at the Tennessee Secretary of State to see whether another Tennessee company already holds your name; a clash can get the filing sent back.
Keep a second choice in your pocket.
-
Step
2Name a registered agent
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. A Tennessee resident, or a business entity formed in Tennessee or authorized there with an office at the registered office street address.
The address has to be a Tennessee street address, with the county. P.O. boxes are not accepted.
Every pick on our list includes a registered agent.
Where this comes from: Class notes: sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com (October 2026)
-
Step
3File it on your own, or hand it off
Doing it yourself means $300 to the state and nothing else. One of our picks charges $199 on top and takes over the paperwork.
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Step
4Deliver the Articles of Organization Limited Liability Company
Your formation filing is the Articles of Organization Limited Liability Company (Form SS-4270); take it, plus $300, to the Tennessee Secretary of State.
Where this comes from: Class notes: sos.tn.gov (October 2026)
-
Step
5Apply for an EIN
Wait for the state to approve the LLC, then request the EIN from the IRS.
-
Step
6Draft the operating agreement
Even if you are the only owner, a written operating agreement kept with the company records is a good idea for a Tennessee LLC.
-
Step
7Keep up with Tennessee's recurring filing
Tennessee wants the annual report every year, due on or before the first day of the fourth month following the close of the LLC's fiscal year, and the fee is $300.
Where this comes from: Class notes: sos.tn.gov (October 2026)
What each step costs in Tennessee
| Item | Payee | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Filing fee | To the state | $300 |
| Annual report | To the state | $300 every year |
| A service, if you use one | The service | $199 for year one |
| Three-year state total | To the state | $900 |
Why this order
won on homework the price handles (33% of the grade), with right behind.
TN Registered Agent.org costs less, but the annual report stays with you.
Questions students ask
What is the price of forming a Tennessee LLC?
The state's fee is $300. A service from our graded list adds $199 in year one.
Which form creates the LLC?
The LLC comes into being when the Tennessee Secretary of State accepts the Articles of Organization Limited Liability Company (Form SS-4270).
Is a registered agent required?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
What does Tennessee require each year?
Keep an eye on the annual report: $300, every year, on or before the first day of the fourth month following the close of the LLC's fiscal year.
Can I form the LLC without a service?
Yes, you may. Pay the state $300 when you file, and remember that the LLC still needs a registered agent.
Which LLC service should a first-time founder use?
Mainstay Filing, TN Registered Agent.org and Tennessee Registered Agent.co, graded from first to last.
Class references
- Homework check for Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services: the facts come from tnbear.tn.gov, a page we last confirmed in August 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
- Homework check for Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services: the facts come from sos.tn.gov, a page we last confirmed in August 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
- Homework check for Tennessee yearly filing: Annual report: fee, official source: the facts come from sos.tn.gov, a page we last confirmed in October 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
- Homework check for Tennessee report due date: the facts come from law.justia.com, a page we last confirmed in August 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
- Homework check for Tennessee formation fee: Filing fee, official source: the facts come from sos.tn.gov, a page we last confirmed in October 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
- Homework check for Tennessee registered agent statute: the facts come from sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com, a page we last confirmed in October 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
- November 13, 2026: the Tennessee service page for Mainstay Filing
- November 13, 2026: the pricing page for TN Registered Agent.org
- November 13, 2026: the pricing page for Tennessee Registered Agent.co