Tennessee LLC Filing and Registered Agent Services

If you are looking to start a business in Tennessee, one of the first things you will need to do is form a limited liability company (LLC). There are many online legal service providers that can assist you with this process, including Incfile and ZenBusiness. In this article, we will compare the services offered by these two companies, as well as discuss the requirements for forming an LLC in Tennessee and the Tennessee registered agent requirements.

Tennessee LLC Formation with Incfile

Incfile is an online legal services provider that can assist you with forming an LLC in Tennessee. Here are the steps involved:

Step 1: Choose a Name for Your LLC

The first step in forming an LLC in Tennessee is choosing a name for your company. This name should be unique and not already in use by another business in the state. Incfile can help you search for available names and ensure that the name you choose is compliant with Tennessee naming requirements.

Step 2: File a Certificate of Formation

The next step is to file a Certificate of Formation with the Tennessee Secretary of State. This document outlines the basic information about your LLC, such as its name, address, and registered agent. Incfile can help you prepare and file your Certificate of Formation, ensuring that it is accurate and compliant with Tennessee regulations.

Step 3: Obtain an EIN

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify your business for tax purposes. You will need an EIN to open a bank account, hire employees, and file taxes. Incfile can help you obtain an EIN for your LLC.

Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement

While not required by Tennessee law, it is a good idea to have an operating agreement in place for your LLC. This document outlines the rules and procedures for running your business and can help prevent disputes among members. Incfile can help you create an operating agreement tailored to your LLC's specific needs.

Step 5: Register for State Taxes

Depending on your business's location and industry, you may need to register for state taxes. This can include sales tax, use tax, and other taxes and fees. Incfile can help you determine which taxes you need to register for and assist you in completing the necessary registration forms.

Tennessee LLC Formation with ZenBusiness

ZenBusiness is another online legal services provider that can assist you with forming an LLC in Tennessee. Here are the steps involved:

Step 1: Choose a Name for Your LLC

The first step in forming an LLC in Tennessee is choosing a name for your company. This name should be unique and not already in use by another business in the state. ZenBusiness can help you search for available names and ensure that the name you choose is compliant with Tennessee naming requirements.

Step 2: File a Certificate of Formation

The next step is to file a Certificate of Formation with the Tennessee Secretary of State. This document outlines the basic information about your LLC, such as its name, address, and registered agent. ZenBusiness can help you prepare and file your Certificate of Formation, ensuring that it is accurate and compliant with Tennessee regulations.

Step 3: Obtain an EIN

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify your business for tax purposes. You will need an EIN to open a bank account, hire employees, and file taxes. ZenBusiness can help you obtain an EIN for your LLC.

Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement

While not required by Tennessee law, it is a good idea to have an operating agreement in place for your LLC. This document outlines the rules and procedures for running your business and can help prevent disputes among members. ZenBusiness can help you create an operating agreement tailored to your LLC's specific needs.

Step 5: Obtain Business Licenses and Permits

Depending on the nature of your business, you may need to obtain business licenses and permits from the state of Tennessee. ZenBusiness can help you determine which licenses and permits you need to obtain and assist you in completing the necessary applications.

Registered Agent Requirements in Tennessee

Both Incfile and ZenBusiness also offer registered agent services for their LLC formation packages. A registered agent is a person or entity that receives legal and tax documents on behalf of your LLC. In Tennessee, every LLC is required to have a registered agent with a physical address in the state.

When choosing a registered agent, it is important to choose a reliable and trustworthy service provider. Both Incfile and ZenBusiness offer registered agent services, which can help ensure that your LLC stays in compliance with Tennessee regulations.

Incfile vs. ZenBusiness

Now that we have discussed the services offered by Incfile and ZenBusiness, let's compare the two companies.

Pricing: Incfile offers a basic LLC formation package starting at $0 plus state fees, while ZenBusiness offers a similar package starting at $49 plus state fees. However, Incfile's package includes more features, such as a free registered agent for the first year and a business tax consultation.

Ease of Use: Both Incfile and ZenBusiness have user-friendly websites and easy-to-follow instructions for forming an LLC in Tennessee. However, some users have reported that Incfile's website can be overwhelming and difficult to navigate.

Customer Support: Both Incfile and ZenBusiness offer excellent customer support, with knowledgeable representatives available via phone, email, or live chat. However, some users have reported longer wait times when contacting Incfile's customer support team.

Additional Services: In addition to LLC formation and registered agent services, both Incfile and ZenBusiness offer a variety of additional services, such as business tax consultation, annual report filing, and compliance monitoring.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Incfile and ZenBusiness offer reliable and affordable LLC formation services for entrepreneurs in Tennessee. The process of forming an LLC in Tennessee involves several steps, including choosing a name, filing a Certificate of Formation, obtaining an EIN, creating an operating agreement, and registering for state taxes. Both companies can assist you with these steps and provide additional services, such as registered agent services and business tax consultation. When choosing between Incfile and ZenBusiness, check out the information at BusinessFormation.io and consider factors such as pricing, ease of use, customer support, and additional services to determine which company best meets your needs.

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