Corporation · Tennessee · 2026

What a corporation really costs in Tennessee

Every state fee and deadline for a corporation in Tennessee, from the official state source.

To form

$100

Charter (For-Profit Corporation, Form SS-4417)

First year with the state

~$220

Filing + one round of required reports and minimum taxes

With Incorra

$100

Free filing, state fee at cost. Or $349 with Plus (agent + reports, $249/yr).

Every recurring requirement

  • Tennessee annual reportEvery year by April 1. Due on or before the 1st day of the 4th month after fiscal year end (April 1 for calendar year), T.C.A. 48-26-203. $20 fee not confirmed on an official page (sos.tn.gov and tnbear.tn.gov were blocked); widely reported.$20
  • Tennessee franchise & excise tax returnEvery year by April 15. FAE170 due the 15th day of the 4th month after year end (April 15 for calendar year). $100 is the minimum franchise tax owed by every registered entity, even if inactive; excise tax is 6.5% of TN taxable income and franchise tax 0.25% of net worth above the minimum.$100

Questions

How much does it cost to form a corporation in Tennessee?

Tennessee charges $100 to file the Charter (For-Profit Corporation, Form SS-4417).

What does a corporation cost every year in Tennessee?

Tennessee annual report: $20, every year by April 1 (Due on or before the 1st day of the 4th month after fiscal year end (April 1 for calendar year), T.C.A. 48-26-203. $20 fee not confirmed on an official page (sos.tn.gov and tnbear.tn.gov were blocked); widely reported.). Tennessee franchise & excise tax return: $100, every year by April 15 (FAE170 due the 15th day of the 4th month after year end (April 15 for calendar year). $100 is the minimum franchise tax owed by every registered entity, even if inactive; excise tax is 6.5% of TN taxable income and franchise tax 0.25% of net worth above the minimum.).

What if my corporation was formed in another state?

To do business in Tennessee you register as a foreign entity: Application for Certificate of Authority (Form SS-4431), $600.

Not sure a corporation is right?

Describe your business and Incorra compares LLC, S-corp and C-corp with your numbers, including the tax when you sell, then files it in Tennessee.

Plan my company free

Source: https://sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com/s3fs-public/document/ss-4270.pdf · not yet independently verified; confirm on the state site. State fees change; Incorra re-checks them regularly. General information, not legal or tax advice.