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Tennessee Department of Revenue walks new business owners through registration, taxes and TenTap
Summary
At a statewide workshop, Revenue staff reviewed registration steps, sales tax and business‑tax thresholds, franchise & excise rules for corporations/LLCs, and how to use the TenTap portal for filings and certificates. Presenters emphasized filing even zero returns and retaining exemption certificates.
The Tennessee Department of Revenue on Jan. 14 hosted a recorded webinar for entrepreneurs covering the steps to register a business, common tax obligations and where to find help online.
Katie Julian, the workshop host and a member of the Department’s taxpayer education team, told attendees the session was designed to help new business owners “start off on the right foot” and to avoid preventable collection problems. She walked participants through tn.gov/revenue’s “For New Businesses” resources and a printable checklist that lists required names, addresses, entity types and licensing steps.
Julian and colleagues reviewed Tennessee’s three most common business taxes. For sales tax, the department said businesses selling tangible personal property of $4,800 or more annually — or taxable services over $1,200 annually — must register and collect sales tax. “Once an account is opened, filing must begin even if there are no sales,” Julian said, advising new sellers to file zero returns rather than ignore an account.
On business tax, the presenters said most entities with annual gross receipts over $100,000 must file and pay an annual business tax; minimal local licenses apply to businesses with lower gross receipts. The department explained classifications (retail, wholesale, services, contractors) and noted that obtaining a standard business license at a county or municipal clerk’s office typically creates a business tax account automatically.
For franchise and excise tax (F & E), intended for corporations and many LLCs, presenters summarized rates and filing rules: franchise tax is computed on net worth (the department cited $0.25 per $100 as the franchise measure) and excise tax on net earnings (6.5%). New entities with no activity must still file a minimum F & E return using TenTap and generally remit a $100 minimum until the account is dissolved.
The session included a TenTap demonstration. Julian described TenTap as the state’s online tax account portal — register for a login, add access to tax accounts (sales, business tax, F & E), file returns, make payments, schedule future payments and download resale certificates. She recommended business owners maintain master access to their TenTap accounts even if a third party prepares returns.
Panelists answered audience questions about multi‑jurisdiction contracting, marketplace sellers (for which some marketplaces remit tax on sellers’ behalf), and how to verify exemption certificates. They repeatedly urged attendees to contact the Department when questions are account‑specific: revenue.support@tn.gov or (615) 253‑0600.
The workshop was recorded and will be posted to the Department’s webinar library for later viewing.
