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Tennessee nonprofit corporation cost

Official fees for forming and keeping a nonprofit corporation in Tennessee, from Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services, and the IRS fee for tax exemption.

1 year$395
3 years$435
5 years$475

Formation, the IRS Form 1023-EZ fee and recurring state fees and taxes. Excludes registered agent costs. Adjust in the calculator.

Tennessee nonprofit corporation cost at a glance

Forming a nonprofit corporation in Tennessee costs $375 to start: $100 in state filing fees plus the $275 IRS Form 1023-EZ user fee. After that, Tennessee charges a report fee of $20 a year. Over five years the state's own charges and the IRS Form 1023-EZ fee come to $475, the 37th lowest of the 51 states with full nonprofit corporation figures here (the median is $399). The IRS user fee is $275 for Form 1023-EZ or $600 for Form 1023. Registered agent service and local licenses are extra.

Line by line

ItemAmountOfficial source
Formation filing fee$100sos.tn.gov
Annual or biennial report fee
Excludes the online filing service charge.
$20sos.tn.gov
Foreign registration (another state's nonprofit corporation)$600sos.tn.gov
IRS user fee, Form 1023-EZ
Form 1023-EZ, the streamlined application for smaller organizations.
$275www.irs.gov
IRS user fee, Form 1023
Form 1023, IRS application for tax-exempt status.
$600www.irs.gov

How to form a nonprofit corporation in Tennessee

  1. Check the name. Search the Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services business records to confirm the name is free. State filing page.
  2. File the articles of incorporation. The Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services charges $100 to form a nonprofit corporation.
  3. Name a registered agent. The agent needs a physical address in Tennessee. You can serve as your own.
  4. Get an EIN. The IRS issues it free on its own website.
  5. Apply for federal tax exemption. The IRS user fee is $275 for Form 1023-EZ or $600 for Form 1023. IRS user fee page.
  6. Stay in good standing. Tennessee charges a report fee of $20 a year.

Other business types in Tennessee

An LLC costs $300 to start, then a report fee of at least $300 a year plus at least $100 a year in state tax or license fees. A corporation costs $100 to start, then a report fee of $20 a year plus at least $100 a year in state tax or license fees. Registering an assumed business name (DBA) with the state costs $20. Compare them in the calculator.

Registering an out-of-state nonprofit corporation in Tennessee

A nonprofit corporation formed in another state registers in Tennessee as a foreign nonprofit corporation. The Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services charges $600 for the registration.

Common questions

How much does it cost to start a nonprofit corporation in Tennessee?

$375 to start: $100 in state filing fees plus the $275 IRS Form 1023-EZ user fee, and Tennessee then charges a report fee of $20 a year.

What does a nonprofit corporation in Tennessee cost over five years?

$475 in state fees and taxes plus the IRS Form 1023-EZ fee, counting formation and every recurring charge.

How much is the IRS fee for a nonprofit tax exemption?

The IRS user fee is $275 for Form 1023-EZ or $600 for Form 1023.

How much does it cost to register a foreign nonprofit corporation in Tennessee?

$600, paid to the Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services.

Compare with nearby states in cost

See every state ranked

Guides

What you'll need to start a nonprofit in Tennessee

  1. 1

    File your Articles of Incorporation

    $100

    The document that creates your nonprofit with the state of Tennessee.

    Have it done

    • LegalZoomfrom $99 + state feestate filing (Articles of Incorporation), name clearance, tax consultation. IRS 501(c)(3) application not included
    • Registered Agents Inc$300 + state feestate filing, registered agent (1 yr), domain (1 yr). Registered agent $200/yr after year 1; IRS Form 1023-EZ $275 or Form 1023 $600 paid separately

    Lowest listed price first, from each company’s own pricing page.

  2. 2

    Name a registered agent

    $0 yourself, or $99 to $200 a year

    A person or company with a street address in Tennessee who receives legal and state mail for the nonprofit.

    Do it yourself

    Be your own agent if you have a street address in Tennessee.

    Have it done

    • ZenBusiness$99/yrregistered agent (first year). Renews at $199/yr
    • Zenind$99/yrregistered address, mail scanning and forwarding. $99 per year
    • Registered Agents Inc$200/yrannual report filing. $200 per year

    Lowest listed price first, from each company’s own pricing page.

  3. 3

    Get an EIN (tax ID)

    Free

    The federal number banks and the IRS use for your nonprofit.

    Do it yourself

    Apply on IRS.gov. The IRS states you can get one "in minutes for free".

  4. 4

    Apply for federal tax exemption

    $275 or $600

    Nonprofit corporations are organized to do charity, education, religious, literary, or scientific work.

    Do it yourself

    IRS Form 1023-EZ or Form 1023: $275 for the 1023-EZ, $600 for the full 1023, per the IRS.

  5. 5

    File the annual report

    $20 a year

    The recurring filing that keeps the nonprofit in good standing.

  6. 6

    Open a business bank account

    $0 a month

    Keeps business money separate from personal money. Banks ask for your EIN.

    Options

    • Bluevine$0/mono minimum balance, no overdraft fees. Opening deposit: no minimum balance requirement
    • Mercury$0/mono minimum balance, no account opening fee. Opening deposit: none stated
    • Relay$0/mono minimum balance. Grow $30/month; opening deposit none (no minimum balance)

    Lowest listed price first, from each company’s own pricing page.

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