Key figures
Tennessee compliance
2026, with sources
The Secretary of State on April 1, the Department of Revenue on April 15
A Delaware corporation doing business in Tennessee obtains a certificate of authority from the Secretary of State and then files an annual report by the first day of the fourth month after its fiscal year ends, April 1 for a calendar-year company. Two weeks later the FAE170 is due to the Department of Revenue, with at least the $100 minimum franchise tax.
The business tax, by jurisdiction
Tennessee’s business tax is measured on gross receipts and is levied in each county and city where a business has a location, on top of the state business tax. Since the Tennessee Works Tax Act, a business files a return only where its receipts are $100,000 or more; between $3,000 and $100,000 it holds a minimal activity license from the county clerk and files nothing.
Locations in the same jurisdiction combine their receipts. A startup with one Memphis office and $400,000 of receipts holds a standard license and files a state and city business tax return; a sister company with $60,000 of receipts holds only a minimal activity license.
Unclaimed property moved to November
Tennessee’s holder report is due November 1 and covers the 12 months before July 1; the deadline moved from May 1 in 2019, and older guidance still shows the earlier date. The Treasury can assess a penalty for failing to report.
Deadlines
- 1st day of the 4th month after fiscal year end (April 1)Annual report with the Secretary of State
- April 15 for calendar-year filersFranchise and excise tax returnForm FAE170
- 15th day of the 4th month after fiscal year endState and city business tax return
- November 1Unclaimed property report for the 12 months before July 1
The federal baseline
This page covers what Tennessee adds. The federal rules underneath it apply here too.
Common questions
What is the Tennessee business tax, and do we owe it?
Tennessee’s business tax is a tax on gross receipts, levied by the state and by cities and counties, separate from franchise and excise tax. A business with more than $3,000 but less than $100,000 of receipts in a jurisdiction needs a minimal activity license from the county clerk and files no return; at $100,000 or more it holds a standard license and files a return with the Department of Revenue, due the 15th day of the fourth month after its year ends.
Do we file franchise and excise tax in a year with no revenue?
Yes. Every registered entity owes at least the $100 minimum franchise tax and files the FAE170, even in a year with no Tennessee activity; an inactive entity owing only the minimum can file a short version of the return.
Compliance next door
- ALAlabama complianceAlabama compliance is Secretary of State registration, the business privilege tax return that doubles as the annual report, Form 20C, and city and county licenses wherever you operate.
- ARArkansas complianceQualify with the Secretary of State, then file the franchise tax report by May 1, the corporate return by April 15 and a negative-if-empty unclaimed property report by November 1.
- GAGeorgia complianceGeorgia compliance is a $235 certificate of authority, a $60 annual registration by April 1, Form 600 with its net worth tax, and an unclaimed property report every November 1.
- KYKentucky complianceKentucky compliance is a $90 certificate of authority, a $15 annual report between January and June 30, Form 720 with the LLET, local net profits returns wherever you operate, and an unclaimed property report before November 1.
- MOMissouri complianceQualify with the Secretary of State for $155, file a $20 online annual report in the qualification month each year, and file the MO-1120 by the 15th day of the fourth month.
- MSMississippi complianceMississippi compliance is a $500 certificate of authority, a $25 annual report, the corporate income and franchise tax return by the 15th day of the fourth month, and an unclaimed property report by November 1.
- NCNorth Carolina complianceNorth Carolina compliance is a $250 certificate of authority, an annual report and a combined franchise and income tax return both due April 15, a franchise tax with a $200 minimum, and a November 1 unclaimed property report.
- VAVirginia complianceVirginia compliance is Form 500 in the fourth month after year end, an SCC fee and report every anniversary month priced by authorized shares, and local BPOL licenses.
Founder guides on this
- ComplianceFirst-year compliance calendar for a Delaware C-corpDelaware franchise tax, 1099s, the federal return, payroll filings, state annual reports and sales tax: the deadlines a young C-corp misses most, by month.
- FundraisingAudit-ready books before your Series AInvestors, lenders and auditors ask for the same things: accrual statements, reconciled accounts and support for every balance. How to be ready first.
More of the Tennessee guide
- AccountingAccounting and state tax in TennesseeCorporate tax, conformity to federal rules, apportionment and what it does to your books
- ReceivablesReceivables and sales tax in TennesseeSales tax registration, economic nexus, whether SaaS is taxable, and collecting from customers
- PayablesPayables and contractors in TennesseePaying vendors and contractors: 1099 filing, use tax, contractor tests and withholding
- PayrollPayroll taxes and employer rules in TennesseeWithholding, unemployment insurance, paid leave, minimum wage and the rules on paydays
- AdvisoryAdvisory: credits and decisions in TennesseeCredits, incentives and the decisions that are cheaper to get right the first time
Sources
Checked against each agency’s own page on . Rates and thresholds change, usually on January 1.
General information for US companies, not tax, legal or accounting advice for yours. Rules and thresholds change; confirm the specifics with a CPA or the agency before you act on them.