Do U Have To Register In The State Of Tennessee

Step 1: Choose a Business Structure

Recommended: We typically recommend forming an LLC for most entrepreneurs considering this structure comes with personal asset protection, has no double taxation, and is pretty easy to maintain.

If you would similar to employ a service, read our guide on the best LLC formation services.

Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships

By default, sole proprietorships operate as the aforementioned proper noun as the possessor while general partnerships must include the surnames of all the partners.

To employ a different name to behave business, the business organization possessor(south) must file for a Tennessee assumed name — too unremarkably referred to as a doing business equally (DBA) name.

Step 2: Check Proper noun Availability

When registering a concern name, it'southward of import to make certain it'south unique and no one else in your state formed a company with it or has command of it online as a domain name.

Domain Name Search

Nosotros strongly recommend that you also bank check to encounter if your business proper noun is available as a spider web domain (URL). Fifty-fifty if you lot don't plan to create a business website today, you lot may desire to purchase the web address to forestall others from acquiring that domain name. If the web domain is available then information technology'south probable the name will as well be available in a business search.

Find a Domain Now

Tennessee Business Name Search

Next, search the Tennessee business concern data search tool. This is an important pace in the process because your filing will be denied if yous try to file for a proper noun already in utilize.

Search requirements can vary depending on your concern needs. For instance, a unique and available name is required to:

File for formal business organization structures like LLCs and corporations.
File a DBA name for any business structure.

A state-level name search isn't required for informal business organisation structures similar sole proprietorships or general partnerships in Tennessee. But, if you make up one's mind to register an assumed name or DBA proper name, you'll need to search the database to see if your desired name is unique and available.

Pace iii: Form Your Business With the State of Tennessee

Once yous take selected your business organization structure and proper noun, yous volition need to file your formation documents with the land, which will register your business with the State of Tennessee.

To register your Tennessee LLC, yous'll need to file the Articles of Organization with the Tennessee Secretary of Country. Y'all can apply online, by mail, or in person. Read our Grade an LLC in Tennessee guide for details.

Or apply a professional service like ZenBusiness or LegalZoom to class your LLC for you lot.

To register your Tennessee corporation, you'll demand to file the Domestic For-Profit Corporation Charter with the Tennessee Secretary of Land. Read our Form a Tennessee Corporation guide to learn more than.

Additional Considerations

Protect Your Concern Name With a Trademark (Optional)

Once you ostend the availability of your business name and secure it, you lot can choose to apply for a trademark for your business organisation. This typically costs around $225 to $400 plus any attorney fees as well equally a renewal fee every ten years.

While this cost tin can be high for a first-upward or fledgling business, it will give your company brand nationwide protection backed by federal law. That means if others try to practise business organization with the same — or a similar — name every bit yours, you'll accept legal precedent on your side. For nearly small businesses, this really isn't necessary unless they are thinking of going national.

How to Change the Proper noun of a Tennessee Business organization

Changing the proper name of a concern in Tennessee can be done in 2 ways: past filing for an assumed name or past submitting an subpoena to the legal proper noun of an existing business organization.

The first method, filing for an assumed name (also known as a DBA proper noun), is the easiest way to operate your business using a dissimilar name without needing to change its legal name.

A DBA name is the simply way for sole proprietorships and general partnerships to have a different business proper noun. It's also the easiest method for LLCs and corporations to follow because it allows them to avert filing an amendment or complicating their business organisation operations while enabling them to operate with brand names that don't include the necessary LLC or Inc. suffix required in a legal name.

If you want to alter the legal name of your LLC or corporation, nevertheless, filing an amendment to the legal proper noun of an existing business is your all-time selection. Here are links to forms for both options:

Form SS-4247 - LLC Articles of Amendment
Grade SS-4421 - For-Profit Corporation Articles of Amendment

Both must be mailed forth with the $20 filing fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a business license required in Tennessee?

Most businesses located in Tennessee will require a business organisation license. The type of required license will depend on your business' annual gross receipts.

Businesses with annual gross receipts of between $iii,000 and $ten,000 must obtain a minimal activeness license. Businesses with annual gross receipts of more than $x,000 volition crave a standard business license.

How do I get a concern license in Tennessee?

To obtain the proper licensing for your Tennessee business, register with the land's Section of Revenue.

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

Forming an LLC in Tennessee costs $50 per member with a minimum of $300 and a maximum of $3,000 to file your Articles of Organization with the Secretary of Land.