1. Does Tennessee Require an LLC Annual Report?
Yes—Tennessee LLCs generally must file an Annual Report with the Tennessee Secretary of State to stay active and in good standing. This filing is a recurring yearly requirement for many LLCs (domestic and foreign registered in Tennessee). Even if your business has low activity, the annual report is still a compliance requirement in most cases.
2. What Tennessee LLCs Must File Each Year
Tennessee yearly compliance typically comes down to a clear checklist. Exact requirements depend on your LLC’s activity, tax setup, and whether you have employees—but most LLCs should plan for:
Annual compliance checklist
- Tennessee Annual Report (Secretary of State): annual compliance filing to keep your entity in good standing
- State taxes (if applicable): Tennessee has state-level tax obligations that may apply depending on your structure and activity
- Registered Agent renewal (if using a service): keep a valid agent and address to receive official/legal notices
- Federal tax return (IRS): depends on SMLLC vs partnership vs S-corp election (IRS LLC tax classification)
- Bookkeeping + records: clean records reduce issues with banks, payments, and audits
3. What the Tennessee Annual Report Covers
The Tennessee Annual Report is not a long document for most LLCs. It’s mainly a yearly update that confirms or updates key information. Filing it on time helps maintain good standing and prevents avoidable issues with banks and verification checks.
What the Annual Report typically includes
- Confirming your entity’s key details are current
- Confirming addresses and contact info (as required)
- Confirming registered agent details (and updating if needed)
- Confirming member/manager info (as required)
- Paying the annual report fee based on your LLC’s member count
If you only remember one thing: Tennessee LLCs must file the annual report to stay in good standing—and it’s commonly due based on your fiscal year (often April 1 for calendar-year LLCs).
4. Tennessee LLC Due Dates (Common Scenarios)
Tennessee annual report due dates are tied to your fiscal year end. In simple terms, it’s commonly due on or before the first day of the fourth month after your fiscal year closes. For many LLCs with a calendar year (ending December 31), that commonly means April 1.
Common examples
- Calendar-year LLC (most common): fiscal year ends Dec 31 → annual report commonly due April 1
- Non-calendar fiscal year: due date shifts based on your fiscal year end
- Multi-member or single-member: still files annual report; fee depends on member count
What can change the schedule?
- Your taxable/fiscal year is not a calendar year
- Your entity details changed and need updates before filing
- Your member count changed (fee calculation changes)
- Other state tax obligations have separate deadlines
STAY COMPLIANT
Click the button below and our team will guide you through Tennessee’s annual report filing—fast and correctly.
Get Compliance Help5. Where to File + What You’ll Need
Tennessee annual reports are typically filed online with the Secretary of State through the business portal (Tennessee Business Services portal, commonly referred to as TNCaB). Before you start, keep your basic business details ready so you can submit without errors.
What you should keep ready
- Legal LLC name and Tennessee Secretary of State control number / entity ID
- Principal office address and mailing address (if different)
- Registered agent name and address (and any updates, if needed)
- Number of LLC members (fee calculation depends on this)
- Payment method for the filing fee
Why founders use a compliance service
- Avoid missed deadlines and good-standing issues
- Reduce rejections due to incorrect or inconsistent information
- Keep clean records for banking and payment processors
| Feature | FormLLC | Provider A | Provider B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built for non-US founders | ✅ Deep non-resident focus | ➖ Limited support | ➖ Generic templates |
| End-to-end compliance guidance | ✅ State + federal clarity | ➖ Partial | ➖ DIY-heavy |
| Transparent pricing | ✅ No surprise upsells | ⚠️ Hidden add-ons | ⚠️ Tiered upsells |
| Human support (WhatsApp / email) | ✅ Dedicated support | ➖ Ticket-based | ➖ Slow response |
*Sample stats for illustration. Add your real numbers and link to verified reviews.
The annual report is a “good standing” requirement. Filing on time helps you avoid unnecessary issues with banks, payment gateways, vendor verification, and even government processing.
6. How to File the Tennessee Annual Report (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Confirm your due date
Confirm your LLC’s fiscal year end. The annual report is commonly due on or before the first day of the fourth month after your fiscal year closes. Calendar-year LLCs (ending Dec 31) commonly file by April 1.
Step 2: Prepare member count + entity details
Tennessee’s annual report fee depends on member count, so confirm how many members your LLC has before you file. Also confirm your entity ID/control number, principal office address, and registered agent details.
Step 3: File online through the Tennessee business portal
Most founders file online. Log into the Secretary of State’s business portal (TNCaB online filing system) , select your entity, complete the annual report prompts, and review everything carefully before submitting.
Important: If your registered agent or address information changed, update it correctly during the filing process (or via the appropriate change filing) to avoid rejection or mail delivery issues.
Step 4: Pay the annual report fee and save proof
Pay the fee and save proof (confirmation, receipt, and a copy of what you filed). This is useful for banking, payment processors, and future compliance reviews.
7. Tips to Stay Compliant
- Set a recurring reminder based on your fiscal year end (calendar-year LLCs often file by April 1)
- Confirm member count before filing (fee depends on it)
- Store your filing confirmation and receipt in one compliance folder
- Keep registered agent details updated to avoid missed legal notices
8. Fees, Penalties & Good Standing
- Annual Report fee: commonly $300 minimum up to $3,000 maximum (member-based fee structure)
- Member-based increases: many LLCs add $50 per member above a base number of members
- Registered Agent (if using a service): Typically $50/year
- Late filings: can trigger loss of good standing (state compliance FAQ) and increase compliance risk
- Good standing impact: affects banking, payment platforms, contracts, and vendor onboarding
| Compliance Item | Typical Timing | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Annual Report | On or before 1st day of 4th month after fiscal year close (often April 1) | $300–$3,000 (varies by member count) |
| Registered Agent Renewal | Annually | $100–$300 |
| Federal Income Tax Return | Annually | Varies |
| State-level taxes (if applicable) | Varies | Varies |
9. Federal Compliance That Impacts Tennessee LLCs
1. Federal tax return (IRS)
Your federal tax filing depends on classification: single-member LLCs often report on the owner’s return, partnerships file an informational return, and S-corp elections follow S-corp filing rules. Keep your IRS compliance clean to avoid downstream issues.
2. EIN (Employer Identification Number)
Most LLCs use an EIN to open bank accounts, hire employees, and work with payment processors. Keep your IRS EIN confirmation safe—banks often request it during verification.
3. BOI updates (Corporate Transparency)
If ownership or key company information changes, you may need to update federal beneficial ownership information (FinCEN BOI reporting) (where applicable). This is separate from Tennessee’s annual report but often comes up during annual compliance reviews.
4. Other recurring federal obligations
- Payroll tax filings if the LLC has employees
- Information returns (such as 1099 forms) when required
- Keeping clean bookkeeping for audits, banking, and compliance reviews
10. Conclusion
The biggest takeaway: Tennessee LLCs generally must file an Annual Report to stay in good standing. Your due date is tied to your fiscal year end (often April 1 for calendar-year LLCs), and fees are commonly $300–$3,000 based on member count.
With FormLLC, you can stay compliant without confusion—our team helps you follow the right schedule, file the annual report correctly, and keep your business in good standing.
11. Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Tennessee LLCs generally must file an annual report with the Secretary of State to maintain good standing.
It is commonly due on or before the first day of the fourth month after your fiscal year ends. For many calendar-year LLCs, that commonly means April 1.
Tennessee’s annual report fee is member-based. Many LLCs pay a $300 minimum and up to $3,000 maximum. The total often increases based on how many members your LLC has.
Yes. Most founders file online through Tennessee’s business portal (commonly referred to as TNCaB).
Often, yes. The annual report is mainly a compliance requirement to keep your entity active and in good standing, even if activity was low.
Missing required filings can trigger loss of good standing and may lead to administrative dissolution if ignored. It can also cause issues with banks, payment processors, vendor onboarding, and contracts.
Not exactly. The annual report is filed with the Secretary of State for entity compliance. Taxes (state and federal) are handled separately and may have different due dates and requirements.
