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Tennessee business license and registration process

Current unemployment rate in Tennessee was at 4.5% (last quarter of 2006 reported). The NFIB rates Tennessee as generally favorable to small business. The tax foundation has the state ranked at 18th for business which is well in to the top half. The corporate tax burden also is comparatively light ranking 12th.

There is a new online business license and registration wizard that is easy to use and allows you to submit associated forms when you're finished.

If you'd rather go the manual route you can follow the steps below to get you started. Most of the forms are .pdfs so you'll need to print and mail them. Fees are generally low and in line with other states.

Start with a business name search.
Before filling out your license and taxation registration information you need to make sure the name you've chosen for your Tennessee business is available.

Then you can move on to the license and incorporation filing guidelines found here at the Tennessee department of state.

Tennesse business laws
This site includes recent updates of laws effecting business. Site is from the State division of business services. Most are .pdfs so you will need adobe acrobat reader to view.

Tennessee Labor Law posters.
Not an official government site. Just another place to buy labor law posters, for both federal and state.