LLC for Beginners

LLC for Beginners › Tennessee

Forming an LLC in Tennessee for the first time

The Tennessee filing fee is $300. For a beginner the best service is Mainstay Filing: $199 a year covers the filing, agent, EIN application and the annual report, so year 1 comes to $499.

  • Official sources, checked October 20, 2026

Your Tennessee checklist

  1. File the Articles of Organization Limited Liability Company (SS-4270). $300 to the Tennessee Secretary of State.
  2. Registered agent. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. Mainstay Filing includes it.
  3. EIN. Free from the IRS; included in the application Mainstay Filing prepares.
  4. Operating agreement. Write one even for a single owner. No upcharge at Mainstay Filing.
  5. Annual report. Annual Report, every year, $300. Due: On or before the first day of the fourth month following the close of the LLC's fiscal year.
Best for beginners

Mainstay Filing

Our rating: 4.9 out of 5

$199 / year + $300 state fee

  • LLC formation, prepared and filed
  • Registered agent, all year
  • EIN application (with an SSN or ITIN)
  • Annual report filed every year it is due where the state requires one
  • Compliance reminders and stored documents

Price from the Mainstay Filing pricing and FAQ pages, checked October 21, 2026. State fees are passed through at cost and shown before you pay.

Total for the first three years

$1,497 with Mainstay Filing, state fees included. Others: Northwest Registered Agent $1,189; ZenBusiness $1,397; Bizee $1,198; LegalZoom $1,647 (these totals leave out any charge for filing the annual report).

Questions

What is the best LLC service for a beginner in Tennessee?

Mainstay Filing. First year $499 including the $300 Tennessee filing fee; $499 in year 2.

Can a beginner file an LLC in Tennessee without a service?

Yes: file the Articles of Organization Limited Liability Company (SS-4270) with the Tennessee Secretary of State for $300. Required registered agent: A Tennessee resident, or a business entity formed in Tennessee or authorized there with an office at the registered office street address.

Sources