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If you are unsure as to what type of business (i.e. Corporation, Limited Liability Company, Partnership, etc.), you may need to contact an attorney or tax professional, as this office is unable to assist in that determination. For information on types of business entities and tax, treatments consult the IRS, Tennessee Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration or the Business Enterprise Resource Office (BERO) at the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.
"Solicit" or "solicitation" means any oral or written request, however, communicated, whether directly or indirectly, for a contribution. See T.C.A. §48-101-501(11).
The Tennessee Secretary of State offers an online search of charities. Please note, if you do not locate the organization, please consider the following:
The initial registration fee is $50 dollars. The fee for renewing your registration is based on the following scale:
GROSS REVENUE REGISTRATION FEE
$0 – $48,999.99 $80
$49,000 – $99,999.99 $120
$100,000 – $249,999.99 $160
$250,000 – $499,999.99 $200
$500,000 and above $240
“Contributions" means the promise or grant of any money or property of any kind or value, including the payment or promise to pay in consideration of a sale, performance or show of any kind which is advertised or offered in conjunction with the name of any charity. “Contribution” does not include bona fide fees, dues or assessments paid by members; provided, that membership is not conferred solely as consideration for making a contribution in response to a solicitation. See T.C.A. §48-101-501(3).
Renewal Filing fees are based the gross revenue for the filing period. Late fees are assessed per month.
For Renewal Dates after 7/1/2021:
Gross Revenue Filing Fee
- $0 to $50,000 $0.00 *
- $50,000.01 to $99,999.99 $10.00
- $100,000.00 to $249,999.99 $10.00
- $250,000.00 to $499,999.99 $10.00
- $500,000 and over $10.00
Late Fees: $10/month
For Renewal Dates on or before 6/30/2021
Gross Revenue Filing Fee
- $0 to $50,000 $0.00 *
- $50,000.01 to $99,999.99 $120.00
- $100,000.00 to $249,999.99 $160.00
- $250,000.00 to $499,999.99 $200.00
- $500,000 and over $240.00
Late Fees: $25/month
* Based on answers on the renewal form, an organization may qualify for an exemption because they received less than $50,000 in gross contributions from the public. Organizations that qualify for this exemption will not be charged a filing fee for the filing period.
A civil penalties up to $5,000 may be imposed for each and any violation. Further, anyone who willfully and knowingly violates any provision of the Charitable Solicitations Act, or willfully and knowingly gives false or incorrect information in filing statements or reports to the division commits a Class B misdemeanor. A second or subsequent offense is a Class E felony.
Yes, for good cause shown (e.g. application for extension to file an exempt organization return that was filed with the IRS), the division may extend the time for filing a renewal application for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days, during which time the previous registration remains in effect. An organization may request a second extension of time for a period of sixty (60) days, as long as it provides proof that it has been granted an extension of time to file with the IRS.
Domestic and Foreign Nonprofit Corporation filings can be filed through our online filing system.
New businesses can be formed using the Secretary of State's online business registration system.
Yes, the organization must renew its registration by the last day of the 6th month after the end of its accounting year.
Organizations that are exempt from the registration requirements of the Act include bona fide religious institutions, as defined by T.C.A. §48-101-502(c); educational institutions and supporting organizations as defined by T.C.A. §48-101-502(b); volunteer fire departments, rescue squads and local civil defense organizations; political parties, candidates, and Political Action Committees; hospitals; nursing homes; any corporation established by an act of congress of the United States that is required by federal law to submit annual reports of its activities to congress containing itemized accounts of all receipts and expenditures after being fully audited by the department of defense; and organizations that do not intend to solicit and receive and do not actually raise or receive gross contributions from the public in excess of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) during a fiscal year. Organizations that do not intend to solicit and do not actually raise or receive gross contributions from the public in excess of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) during a fiscal year must file an Exemption Request annually.
An assumed name is a name other than the true entity name under which it conducts business. Tennessee does not recognize 'DBAs' (doing business as) or fictitious names. The assumed name is good for 5 years and can be renewed.
The incorporator is the person that files the charter of the corporation. The incorporator must be of legal age to enter into contracts. Once the charter has been filed, the incorporator’s function is complete.
You are not required to use an attorney to file a new entity; however, using the services of a professional may be helpful.
- The required filing fee was not enclosed.
- The document has not been signed
- The document is not clear and legible.
- The document was not enclosed.
- The document is not dated.
- An email address was not provided.
- The name that you have requested is unavailable because it is not distinguishable from another business entity on file.
- We were not able to obtain tax clearance from the Department of Revenue. Please, contact the Tennessee Department of Revenue at (615) 253-0600 or (800) 342-1003. Once you have satisfied their requirements, resubmit your document to our office for filing.
- The address of the registered office must be a physical Tennessee address; it cannot be a post office box, route number, or box number alone.
A registered agent is a person or company who agrees to accept legal mail on behalf of your entity. Tennessee requires that all entities (except General Partnerships (GP) to maintain a registered agent/office in the State of Tennessee at all times.