Best LLC Services in Tennessee

Start your Tennessee LLC with confidence. Compare the best LLC services for Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and beyond.

Tennessee's LLC filing fees aren't cheap. In fact, they're some of the most expensive in the country. So it makes sense to work with an expert and get it right the first time.

Still, you'll want an LLC provider that's worth the extra bucks. To help you decide, here are the best LLC services in Tennessee matched to different needs.

Bizee

Best for: Free LLC formation w/ registered agent services

Filing the Articles of Organization with the Tennessee Secretary of State isn't cheap. It costs at least $300, with an additional $50 for each member after the first six^[1]—and that's just the beginning.

Fortunately, you don't have to pay extra to get expert help. With Bizee's basic plan, you only pay the state filing fee.

What you don't have to pay for? Three important services:

• Preparation and filing of Articles of Organization
  
• One year of registered agent services
  
• Lifetime compliance alerts

These freebies can save you time, stress, and a good chunk of money. Bizee takes care of LLC formation docs, so you don't have to figure out all the paperwork yourself. You also get a registered agent for a full year, helping you meet a legal requirement while keeping startup costs low.

Plus, you'll never miss an important deadline, like your annual report, because Bizee will send you reminders to help keep your LLC in good standing—even after your LLC is approved.

Bizee, previously known as Incfile, helps business owners start an LLC, corporation, or nonprofit in any state. It's one of the first to offer free LLC formation with a free year of registered agent services.

Plans and Pricing:
Bizee has three formation packages, each designed to fit different business needs. Here's what to expect from each plan:

• Basic: $0 + state fees^[2]
  Bizee's free plan prepares and files your documents with the state, and also includes unlimited business name search and one year of free registered agent. You'll also get lifetime compliance alerts, electronic delivery of LLC formation documents, and business tax consultation.

• Standard: $199 + state fees^[3]
  The Standard plan offers helpful extras like an operating agreement, EIN, and banking resolutions. It also provides unlimited phone and email support.

• Premium: $299 + state fees^[4]
  Premium is ideal if you want comprehensive business formation services in one plan. You get all the features of the first two plans plus business document templates, a website with a domain name, a business email, and express delivery of physical documents.

Aside from business formation, you can pay for a la carte services like business license research, DBA filing, and annual report services.

Pros + Cons:

Tailor Brands

Best for: LLC formation with branding services

Tennessee is a strategic location to start a business. Half of the U.S. population lives within 650 miles of Nashville^[5], which means your business has the potential to reach a massive audience fast. And when you're in a place with that much reach, having a solid brand can help big time.

Tailor Brands is a great choice if you want an LLC service that also acts as your marketing assistant. It helps you form your LLC while also giving you tools to build your brand. You can create a logo, set up a website, design business cards and merch, and even get help with social media content, all in one platform.

You can also ask Tailor Brands for a custom business plan. As your trusty assistant, they'll tell you how to grow your customer base, create a strong and memorable brand identity, and much more.

Founded in 2014, Tailor Brands is an online business formation company specializing in LLC and branding services. It's built for entrepreneurs who want to launch with both confidence and style.

Start Your LLC for $0 - Just Pay State Fees

Click Here to Get Deal

• Check business name availability
• Lifetime compliance alerts
• Lifetime support via email and phone
• LLC filing + optional tools to build your brand

Pricing and packages:
Tailor Brands offers three types of LLC formation packages:

• Lite: $0 + state fees
  With Tailor Brands' cheapest plan, you only need to pay the state filing fees, then you'll get formation services like name availability research and preparation and filing of the Articles of Organization.

• Essential: $199/yr + state fees
  For an annual fee, the Essential plan also includes an operating agreement and annual compliance services. You're also entitled to expedited filing within two business days after payment.

• Elite: $249/yr + state fees
  Only Tailor Brands' most expensive plan comes with business branding tools. It includes extras like a 1-year free website domain, DIY website or e-commerce store, complimentary logos, business card tools, and a social media post tool.

Tailor Brands also offers add-ons like registered agents, business license and permit reports, and other business branding services.

Pros + Cons:

Rocket Lawyer

Best for: Business tax and legal services

Tennessee doesn't have a state income tax, which sounds great at first. But there's still the mandatory franchise tax and excise tax every year. You might also need to pay county-level taxes.

If all that sounds overwhelming, don't worry. Rocket Lawyer can help with both LLC formation and taxes without charging big retainer fees. Their network of tax professionals and attorneys can help you:

• Choose the right LLC and tax structure
  
• Prepare and file your tax returns
  
• Find deductions or credits to lower your tax bill

Plus, you can access contract templates and other legal documents, review them with a professional, and get guidance as your business grows. With Rocket Lawyer, you can get professional help without the usual price tag of a law firm.

Founded in 2008, Rocket Lawyer has an A BBB rating.^[6] It's a trusted name for entrepreneurs who want LLC services and legal support without the high hourly rates.

Plans and Pricing:^[7]
Rocket Lawyer offers two membership plans:

• Rocket Legal: $39.99/mo
  
• Rocket Legal+: $19.99/mo or $239.88/yr

Both plans offer the same benefits, including unlimited custom legal documents, Document Defense® in case of contract dispute, and access to an experienced lawyer for any legal questions.

The difference? Rocket Legal+ is billed annually and offers up to 50% discount on most a la carte services:

Pros + Cons:

ZenBusiness

Best for: Worry-free compliance services

A great LLC service can help with more than just formation. That's why ZenBusiness offers tools you can use even after your LLC is approved, like worry-free compliance.

In Tennessee, every LLC has to file an annual report to stay in good standing. If you miss the deadline, a 60-day grace period begins. If the report is still not filed after that, your business could be shut down. ZenBusiness files it for you, so you don't have to worry about missing a deadline or getting it wrong.

As your business grows, chances are your details will change too—like your business name, address, and members. The state requires you to update that information. ZenBusiness makes it easier by including two free amendments per year in their worry-free compliance. This helps you stay compliant without the extra hassle.

Not sure if you can commit to the annual fee right away? No problem. Worry-free compliance is free for the first year when you choose any LLC formation plan.

Founded in 2017, ZenBusiness has helped over 850,000 businesses^[8] and received mostly positive customer reviews. It is also BBB-accredited with an A+ rating.^[9]

Starter - $0 + State Filing Fees

Click Here to Learn More

• Includes 1 optional free year of Worry-Free Compliance that renews at $199/year
• Standard filing speed
• 100% accuracy guaranteed
• Other services are available with additional costs

Packages and fees:^[11]
ZenBusiness offers three packages for LLC formation: a free basic package, and 2 paid tiers with annual fees.

• Starter: $0 + state fees
  With Starter, you get standard formation features like business name search, preparation and filing of formation documents, and an online account to access documents.

  The Starter plan also includes a free year of Worry-Free Compliance services and a free tax savings consultation.

• Pro: $199/yr + state fees
  Pro is ideal if you want ZenBusiness to handle most of your LLC's requirements without paying for each service separately. You get everything in Starter plus an operating agreement, EIN, and rush filing.

• Premium: $299/yr + state fees
  Premium includes everything in the first two plans, plus unlimited access to Zenbusiness's business template library, a business website, and business email.

Pros + Cons:

LegalZoom

Best for: Business permit and license report services

You might think you're ready to start doing business once your Articles of Organization are approved. But that's only step one. Most businesses in Tennessee still need some kind of state business license. Depending on what you do and where you're located, you might need other permits or local licenses too.

LegalZoom, a trusted online legal services company, can help you form your LLC and identify the licenses and permits your business needs. You'll get a detailed report about each requirement, plus ongoing notifications about new changes and upcoming deadlines.

If you have questions, you can speak with one of their experienced specialists. And for more complex questions, LegalZoom also gives you access to licensed attorneys who can offer legal advice when you need it.

Since 2001, LegalZoom has helped form over 4 million businesses^[12] and is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating.^[13] Although pricier than other providers, LegalZoom's combination of business and legal services could be valuable.

Form Your LLC at $0 + State Filing Fees

Form your business at $0, just pay the state filing fees, with the Basic package. The Basic package includes:

• Articles of organization
• Name check service
• Digital welcome packet
• Customizable website

Click Here to Form Your LLC

Core services and fees:^[14]
LegalZoom has three LLC formation packages to choose from:

• Basic: $0 + state fees
  With LegalZoom's free plan, you get a business name availability check and of course, preparation and filing of formation documents. You only pay for the state filing fees.

• Pro: $249 + state fees
  Pro comes with everything from Basic and a few helpful features, like an operating agreement and EIN. You might also appreciate the free year of e-signature services, bookkeeping tools, and editor access to customizable forms.

• Premium: $299 + state fees
  With Premium, you get everything in the first two plans, plus a 30-day subscription for legal guidance services, copyright registration service, and LLC amendments with rush filing.

Pros + Cons:

Methodology

To identify the best LLC services in Tennessee, we evaluated five key criteria: pricing and formation packages, turnaround time, registered agent, compliance assistance, and customer support.

We reviewed each service's pricing structures and formation packages, ensuring cost transparency and valuable features—such as operating agreements, EIN, and expedited turnaround time.

Next, the cost and availability of registered agent services and compliance assistance were assessed. These services help businesses stay in good standing with the state.

Finally, customer support was evaluated based on office hours and response times. These two factors allowed us to identify the most dependable and user-friendly LLC services in Tennessee.

How to Choose the Best LLC Service

There are a lot of LLC services out there. Choosing the best one can be tough, especially if this is your first time using one.

Here are a few tips to help you decide:

• Compare the included features
  LLC formation services don't include the same features in their packages. Compare each to see which package has the services you need at the price you're willing to pay.

• Read customer reviews
  You want an LLC service that provides high-quality customer support, even after placing your order. Check customer reviews to see how well they handle concerns and inquiries.

• Consider their specialty
  LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer are better choices if you need legal assistance. But Bizee and Northwest Registered Agent are better if you need more startup business-oriented services, like registered agent services or annual compliance assistance.

Setup Fee	Starts at $0 + state fees (Basic)	Starts at $0 + state fees (Starter)	Starts at $0 + state fees (Lite)
Registered Agent	$249/year	$199/year	$199/year
Order Processing Time	1 to 2 weeks	7 to 10 business days	14 business days
Expedited Processing	Available with extra costs	Available with extra costs	Available with extra costs
Cancellation	60-day money-back guarantee; State fees are refundable until paid to the state	60-day money-back guarantee; State fees are refundable until paid to the state	Case-to-case basis, otherwise, non-refundable
Customer Service	Phone: (888) 379-0854 Monday - Friday: 5AM - 7PM PT Weekends: 7AM - 4PM PT Online chat	Phone: 844-493-6249 Monday - Friday: 8AM - 8PM CT Saturday - Sunday: 9AM - 6PM CT Online chat Web form	Phone: 888-209-2092 Monday - Friday: 8AM - 7:30PM (EST) Saturday: 8AM - 5PM EST Email: contact@tailorbrands.com Online chat Web form

DIY vs. Hire LLC Services in Tennessee

The decision to DIY or hire an LLC service depends on your comfort level, budget, and priorities. Here are points to consider:

• Cost
  Filing business formation documents on your own is cheaper as you only pay state filing fees. Alternatively, subscribe to free LLC formation services like those offered by Tailor Brands and Bizee. Just be prepared for the upsells of other services.

• Time and convenience
  You can DIY if you have time to research the requirements, prepare the documents, file them with the state, and track its status. Otherwise, hire an LLC service to do the job.

• Expertise
  Use LLC services if you’re unsure about legal jargon or don’t want to risk making mistakes. Alternatively, take time to learn them before filing documents with the state.

• Registered agent services
  You can be the LLC's registered agent as long as you qualify. But if you aren't ready to shoulder this responsibility, appoint someone else or an LLC service as the registered agent.

• Compliance requirements
  Most states have annual LLC requirements, including annual fees and reports. If you want someone else to manage these, hire an LLC service.

• Control
  You hire LLC services because they can do the heavy lifting. However, that also means you rely on them to do everything correctly. That said, DIY is ideal if you want complete control over the process.

Generally, DIY is easy if your LLC is simple, like a single-member LLC with no special tax needs.

Why Form an LLC in Tennessee?

Establishing a limited liability company in Tennessee offers several advantages. For instance, the state doesn't impose a state income tax on LLCs, allowing you to retain more profits.

Additionally, Tennessee's Revised Limited Liability Company Act allows LLC members to adopt operating agreements that control most aspects of the LLC's business and management. This offers flexibility tailored to your company's needs.

How to Form an LLC in Tennessee

Starting an LLC in Tennessee is easy enough. You can even do it yourself in six steps:

1. Choose a name
   Your LLC name must be unique and distinguishable from other businesses registered in Tennessee. It must also have Limited Liability Company, LLC, or similar at the end.

2. Appoint a registered agent
   A registered agent receives legal documents on behalf of your LLC. They must have a physical address in the state where the LLC does business.

3. File the Articles of Organization
   Next, submit the Articles of Organization and the filing fee to the Tennessee Secretary of State. This form usually includes details like the LLC name, registered agent, and business purpose.

4. Create an operating agreement
   An LLC operating agreement contains information like the roles and responsibilities of each member, how new or departing members will be treated, and how business profits and losses will be divided.

5. Get an EIN
   Any LLC with more than one member or with employees must have an EIN, regardless of how it's taxed. This is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the IRS to identify a business entity for tax-related purposes.

6. Get business permits and licenses
   Depending on your business, you may need additional licenses or permits. For example, you need a sales tax permit if you sell consumable goods. Research state-specific requirements and local rules that apply to your LLC.

Once your LLC is up and running, comply with ongoing requirements like filing the annual report and renewing business permits and licenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is Tennessee a good state for LLC?

  Yes, forming an LLC in Tennessee can be a smart move, especially if your business fits into one of the state's booming industries. Healthcare, manufacturing, tech, and tourism are growing fast, which means more opportunities to thrive.

  Nashville, in particular, has become a hotspot for healthcare and tech companies, with big names like Oracle and Amazon setting up shop there.

• How much does an LLC cost in Tennessee?

  It costs at least $300 to file the Articles of Organization with the Tennessee Secretary of State. If your LLC has more than six members, you must pay $50 per additional member. The maximum is $3,000.^[1]

  However, the total cost of forming an LLC in Tennessee could be much higher. You might pay for things like registered agent services, business licenses and permits, and other state fees.

• Do LLCs pay taxes in Tennessee?

  Yes, they do. Tennessee doesn't have a state income tax, but there's a mandatory franchise tax and excise tax each year. Depending on what your LLC does and where it's located, it might pay even more taxes.

• How do I maintain an LLC in Tennessee?

  Tennessee LLCs must submit annual reports to the Secretary of State. The filing fee costs at least $300, plus an additional $20 if your registered agent's details change.^[15]

  You must also stay on top of tax filings, license and permit renewals, and any changes in compliance rules.

• How long does it take to process an LLC in Tennessee?

  The Tennessee Secretary of State typically processes online filings immediately. On the other hand, paper filings can take up to five days.

Bottom Line

Tailor Brands, ZenBusiness, and LegalZoom are the best LLC services in Tennessee because they do more than just filing and preparing business documents.

From free registered agents to ongoing compliance, their comprehensive services can help your business thrive in the competitive Tennessee market.

Carefully compare their offers, pricing, and customer reviews to select the perfect partner for your business needs.

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