Tennessee Department of Revenue outlines new-business steps, tax thresholds and online filing at workshop

Katie Gillian, education expert and presenter at the Tennessee Department of Revenue, led a three‑hour New Business Workshop webinar covering how to form and register a business, key tax thresholds and filing obligations, and the department’s online filing system.

The workshop focused on practical steps new businesses must take to register correctly and avoid tax penalties. “The first little small session we’re gonna have is gonna be dedicated to setting up your business,” Gillian said, introducing a checklist of actions including selecting an entity type, establishing a business location and mailing address, deciding on an effective start date and NAICS code, and choosing whether to obtain an EIN from the IRS.

Why it matters: Getting the basic registrations and account numbers right affects which Tennessee taxes apply and when returns are due. The presenters repeatedly warned that mismatches among Secretary of State filings, county/city licenses and Department of Revenue accounts can trigger notices and enforceable liabilities.

Most important details from the workshop

- Entity setup and identifiers: The presenters emphasized that sole proprietors must generally register tax accounts with the owner’s Social Security number, while corporations, partnerships and most LLCs use a federal EIN. The Tennessee Secretary of State handles charters and annual reports for corporations,…