The objective of the annual report is three-fold. The annual report keeps the Government informed about all the updates, communicates about all the modifications or changes, & keeps the LLC members informed about the necessary taxes and costs. This article has all the information about Tennessee LLC annual report filing in Tennessee.
An annual report can be called an address book, as it features all the relevant addresses of the company & the members. This yearly report is a record of all the company’s activities in an entire year. It is also referred to as the Annual Franchise Tax Report because it helps in filing the franchise tax.
On this page, you’ll learn about the following:
Contents of the Annual Report
Typically the annual report filed by an LLC in Tennessee (or any other business entity for that matter) will include all the information related to its business & members. The standard contents of the annual report or the annual franchise tax report are
- Office Address of the LLC
- Names & Addresses of the Members & managers.
- Identification Documents
- Social Security numbers of the key members of LLC
- The objective of the business of LLC
- List of all the signatories of the LLC
- Information of the registered agent, if any
Tennessee LLC Annual Report
An Annual report is essential for all business types. It authenticates that the information provided to the Secretary Of the State is accurate & updated. The information provided in the annual report helps the State officials to ensure that all the companies pay taxes. The Tennessee Annual Report is filed with the Tennessee Secretary of State.
Does the State of Tennessee Require an Annual Report Filing?
It is mandatory for every business entity in Tennessee to file an annual report with the Tennessee Secretary of State. This rule applies to all the legal entities such as C Corporations, Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, bound to file the Annual Report.
Annual Report Deadline
As mentioned above, filing the Annual report is a mandatory requirement even for an LLC. An LLC operating in Tennessee has to file the Annual report every year, on the first day of the fourth month, post their fiscal year-end with the Tennessee Secretary of State. So an LLC that has a fiscal year ending in December shall submit the report by the 1st of April.
Penalties for Non-filing or late filing
An Annual Report is one of the important documents filed by an LLC. Any report filed after the due date may result in the LLC losing good standing status. If there is a further failure in filing the report, it may result in the dissolution of the LLC.
Why Do LLCs Have to File the Annual Report?
Some of the states are not required to file this yearly report, commonly known as the Annual Report. However, there are some reasons why states should file an LLC Annual Report. Here are some reasons,
To Maintain the Accuracy of the Information
An annual report filed by the LLC has all the updated information about its official addresses & the names or addresses of all its officials. This updated information allows the State authorities to track down any LLC when communicating.
To Provide the Correct Correspondence
Many times, any creditor or other entity willing to transact with the LLC requires the correct correspondence address. If this information (which can only be modified with the help of an annual report) is not updated every year, such entities will not be able to communicate with them.
To Notify the Government About All the Significant Changes
If you have changed your main business address or had new business appointments of managers or members, the annual public information report notifies the State Government Entities about it. So, the next time someone questions a newer reform that you have introduced in your LLC, you will be saved because you had submitted the information with the Government.
To Provide an Activity Log of an LLC
The Annual Report is like an activity log of the LLC. It brings on record; all the transactions, new associations, appointments, etc. & keeps those records intact for all future references.
To Help You With the One-time Filing of Taxes
The annual report is an excellent means to keep you on your toes in case of your dues payment. Every LLC must pay the taxes through the annual report filing. By filing the report on time, the LLC can manage the exemptions & can avoid penalties imposed by the Government.
To Enable the State to Track the Payments
The government authorities use all the information filed through the annual report, for tracking the payment of State Taxes.
How to File a Tennessee LLC Annual Report
The Tennessee LLC Annual Report can be filed online or by mail. An LLC operating in Tennessee has to file the Annual report every year, on the first day of the fourth month, post their fiscal year-end with the Tennessee Secretary of State. So an LLC that has a fiscal year ending in December shall submit the report by the 1st of April.
Steps to File Tennessee LLC Annual Report Online
Time needed: 5 minutes.
Below is the procedure to file the Tennessee LLC Annual Report online.
- Visit Tennessee Secretary of State Site.
The first step in filing the Tennessee Annual Report is to visit the Tennessee Secretary of State Site.
- Click on the “File an Annual Report” link.
From the list of processes displayed on the site, click on the File an Annual Report link.
- Click on the “E-file Annual Reports” link.
Scroll down and click on the “E-file Annual Reports” link under the “What you can do here section.”
- Enter the Secretary of State Control Number.
Enter the Secretary of State Control Number in the text box & click on begin to start filing the report.
Filing Tennessee LLC Annual Report By Mail
To file the LLC Annual report in Tennessee, you can follow the steps as mentioned below,
- Visit Tennessee Secretary of State Site
- Click on the “File an Annual Report” link
- Scroll down and click on the “Print & Mail Annual Reports” link, under the What you can do here section
- Enter the Secretary of State Control Number in the text box & click on begin.
- Download the form on your computer
- Fill in the required information & send the printed copies of the forms and relevant documents to the address: Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services, 312 Rose L. Parks Avenue, Snodgrass Tower, 6th Floor, Nashville, TN 37243
Tennessee LLC Annual Report (Domestic & Foreign)
| State Office: | Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services, 312 Rose L. Parks Avenue, Snodgrass Tower, 6th Floor, Nashville, TN 37243 Links to Website, Forms |
| Due Date: | An LLC operating in Tennessee has to file the Annual report every year, on the first day of the fourth month, post their fiscal year-end with the Tennessee Secretary of State. So an LLC that has a fiscal year ending in December shall submit the report by the 1st of April. |
| Filing Fee: | $300 (Additional $20 for registered Agent) |
| Penalty: | Any report filed after the due date may result in the LLC losing good standing status. If there is a further failure in filing the report, it may result in the dissolution of the LLC. |
| Filing Method: | An LLC can file the Annual Report Online or by mail. |
| Forms: | Form |
| Important Information: | Once a Domestic or Foreign Tennessee Limited Liability Company submits the Annual Report along with the prescribed fees to the Tennessee Secretary of State, the filing is said to be complete. |
Seek the Help of a Registered Agent
Every State will have a different rule for filing the Annual Report. Usually, it is submitted every year, but it is submitted once in two years in some states. Some states require the filing of the report only once in ten years.
Not only the timing, the mode of filing, the proper addresses, exemptions, legality, annual report compliance, etc., have to be taken care of while paying the taxes or filing any reports with the State authorities. In many such scenarios, it is advised that an LLC appoints a Registered Agent to manage all this. Check out the best LLC service that offers all the services at an affordable price. An experienced agent is required for:
- Streamlining the mandatory processes & filing.
- Sending or receiving any documents.
- Reminding you about important dates of filing or payment of taxes.
- Simplifying the filing procedures.
- Avoid any penalties.
- Flexibility in working.
- Maintaining Privacy (as it keeps your personal records off the public record)
You can read more about a Tennessee Registered Agent here.
How Fast Can I Fill Tennessee LLC Annual Report
Deadline for filing annual reports in Tennessee is the April 1 with the Tennessee Secretary of State. Failing to do so may result in dissolution of the LLC.
Forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Tennessee is a great way to protect your personal assets while running your business. However, it is important to remember that with the legal protections and benefits of an LLC come certain responsibilities. One of those responsibilities is filing an annual report with the Tennessee Secretary of State.
The Tennessee LLC annual report is due each year by the end of the month in which your LLC was formed and must include certain information about the company, such as its registered agent, address, and the names and addresses of its members or managers. You must also provide information about the LLC’s business activities, such as whether it operates a business or provides services.
Failing to file your annual report on time can have serious consequences, including the possibility of the Tennessee Secretary of State revoking your LLC’s right to do business in the state. Luckily, filing your annual report is a simple and straightforward process and can be done quickly.
The first step in filing your annual report is to complete the form provided by the Tennessee Secretary of State. This form is available online and can be filled out quickly. You will need to provide basic information about your LLC, such as its registered agent, address, and the names and addresses of its members or managers. Once you have completed the form, you must submit it to the Secretary of State’s office along with the required fee.
Once your annual report is submitted, it typically takes the Tennessee Secretary of State around two weeks to process it. You will receive a confirmation email when your report has been accepted and processed. If you do not receive a confirmation email within two weeks, you should contact the Secretary of State’s office to make sure they have received your report.
In some cases, filing your annual report can take longer than two weeks. If you need to file your annual report quickly, you can expedite the process by submitting your report via overnight delivery service or in person at the Secretary of State’s office. Submitting your report via overnight delivery or in person can dramatically reduce the processing time and can get your report filed within a few days.
Filing your Tennessee LLC annual report is an important part of keeping your business in good standing with the state. Completing the report accurately and submitting it on time is the best way to ensure that you stay in compliance with state law. With the right knowledge and preparation, you can fill out and submit your annual report quickly and easily.
FAQs
Yes, an annual report is essential for every business entity in most states. Some states also ask to file biennial or decennial reports to be filed.
A Yearly Business Report or the annual report typically incorporates the address of the business, names & addresses of the members, a list of all the signatories, SSN of the members, & details of the registered agent.
A Registered Agent is well-aware of all the filing requirements, annual report filing fee, & overall Annual Report compliance. The knowledge & proficiency of the registered agent allows the smooth filing of reports & other fees.
The most important thing for filing an Annual Report is record keeping. Make sure that you document every other transaction well.
Yes, the fees may vary depending on the type of entity or the type of legal entity you are representing.
In Conclusion
An LLC has to file many types of reports, such as Application for Reinstatement, Periodic Report of a limited partnership (usually filed by the exempt nonprofit organization), etc., which are required depending on the type of entity. The Annual Report is mandatory irrespective of the entity type. It requires compliance across entities.