Tennessee Business License

A businessman opening the office door for his employees

General Business License Requirements for Tennessee.

Business licenses are often required of business entities, regardless of their products and services. This page provides an overview of business license requirements in Tennessee.

Tennessee General Business Licenses

Tennessee Business License

Not required



General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Tennessee.

Tennessee does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Local General Business Licenses

Blount County Business Tax License

Agency:Blount County Purchasing Department(TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Notes:
  • A business license is needed for any business with a physical location in the county whose gross annual receipts are $3,000 or more; anything under $3,000 is exempt.
    • If the gross receipts are $3,000 to $9,999, the business can choose to get either a minimal activity license or a standard businesses license.  
    • Businesses whose gross receipts are $10,000 or more annually must get the standard business license.
  • Businesses having a standard license must also file and pay business tax to the Tennessee Department of Revenue each year
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

In person

Required Attachments:
  • Contractors having $50,000 in gross annual receipts in any county or city must obtain a license for that city or county and remit tax to the Department of Revenue for each of these cities and counties. 
  • Transient vendors from out-of-state that operate temporarily in any city or county and sell to the public must obtain a $50 transient vendor permit from the local county or city.

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

Bradley County Business Tax License

Agency:Bradley County Clerk's Office (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Tax Registration

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

$15

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

Chattanooga Standard Business License

Agency:City of Chattanooga City Treasurer's Office (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$15

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

City of Brentwood Business License

Agency:City of Brentwood Finance Department (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Notes:

Businesses located in Brentwood are also required to obtain a business license from the Williamson County Clerk’s office . 

Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

The City of Brentwood and the state of Tennessee require businesses located within city limits to obtain a business tax license and pay an annual business tax.

Form:

Business License Registration Application 

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$15

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

City of Columbia Business License

Agency:City of Columbia City Recorder's Office (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No
Requirement Notes:

If you are opening a business within the city limits of Columbia, you will need a business license from each: the City of Columbia, the State of Tennessee, and Maury County Government. 

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application 

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

The cost for a (regular) Columbia business license is $15.00 per year if your business is located within the city limits of Columbia, and if the gross annual income from your business is more than $3,000 annually. 

Required Attachments:
  • Maury County Goverment Business License
  • State of Tennessee Business License 

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

City of Franklin Business License

Agency:City of Franklin Finance Department - Revenue Management (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No
Requirement Notes:

Under the Tennessee Business Tax Act most businesses, vocations, and occupations operating within the City of Franklin are required to obtain a business license from both the City of Franklin as well as Williamson County and report gross receipts to the TN Department of Revenue on a yearly basis.

Initial Registration

Form:

Standard Business License or Minimal Activity License 

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

$15

Notes:
  • The Standard Business License is for businesses that gross more than $10,000 annually that are not exempt.
  • The Minimal Activity Business License is for businesses that gross more than $3,000 and less than $10,000 annually. 

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

A Business License is an annual tax for doing business within the Gallatin City limits. The City of Gallatin Municipal Code requires that a business obtain a license when it conducts any business activity within the city limits. A business doing work within the city limits is required to obtain a business license if it is located outside of the city limits when the total revenue exceeds $50,000 annually. This requirement includes home-based businesses, building contractors, independent contractors and nonprofit businesses.

City of Gallatin Business License

Agency:City of Gallatin Recorder's Office (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Yes
Notes:

There are two different business licenses for Gallatin, TN. 

  1. Standard Business License: If the business is located in the City limits of Gallatin and subject to the business tax (i.e., annual taxable sales are $10,000 or more), they must obtain a Standard Business License before conducting business. If a business has multiple locations, it must have Standard Business Licenses for each location. The licenses must be displayed and are nontransferable. Please note you must also obtain a Standard Business License from the Sumner County Clerk. 
  2. Minimal Business License: If the business is located in the city limits of Gallatin and the annual sales are over $3,000, but under $10,000 you must obtain a Minimal Business License. Please note you must also obtain a Minimal Business License from the Sumner County Clerk.
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application 

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

There is an initial $15 fee for each license obtained from the County Clerk and the City Clerk. The license will expire 30 days after the return is due, but will be automatically renewed after the business has filed a return and remitted the tax due to the Tennessee Department of Revenue

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

City of Hendersonville Business License

Agency:City of Hendersonville Business Tax Office (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No
Requirement Notes:

Prior to the issuance of the business license, the Planning Department must approve the application. The business may be required to obtain a Use and Occupancy Permit. The Planning Department may be contacted at 615.264.5316 regarding the necessary permit.


The business must also apply for a Sumner County business license. 


All tax due on businesses will be filed directly with and payment made to the State of Tennessee Department of Revenue.

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$15

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

City of La Vergne Business License

Agency:City of La Vergne Tax Department (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application 

Filing Method:

In person

Agency Fee:

$15

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

City of Lebanon Business Tax License

Agency:City of Lebanon Business Tax Division (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Financial Requirements:
  • The Business Tax Office issues Standard Business Licenses (that gross over $10,000) and Minimal activity Business Licenses (that gross between $3,000-$9,999).
  • Businesses that expect to gross over $3,000 are required by the Tennessee Department of Revenue to have a Business License.
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No
Requirement Notes:

If your business is inside the city limits, you will need to obtain a Wilson County Business License.

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application

Filing Method:

Email brittany.mcdaniel@lebanontn.org or mail

Agency Fee:

$15 + $2.95 credit card processing fee. 

If you are submitting an application by email, you may send in cash/check in the mail, or call the Business Tax Office to pay with a credit/debit card.

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

City of Portland Business License

Agency:City of Portland City Business Tax Office
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Notes:

Must have a Sumner County business license. 

Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration

Filing Method:

Mail or online

Agency Fee:

$15

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

City of Springfield Business License

Agency:City of Springfield City Recorder's Office (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Financial Requirements:

Contractors located in the city limits of Springfield are required to have a City of Springfield business license once the business grosses $3,000.

Minimal Activity -  Minimal activity licenses are for businesses that gross between $3,000-$10,000 per year.

Regular Activity - Regular activity licenses are for businesses that gross more than $10,000 per year.

Any business that is located outside of the city limits of Springfield is required to have a City of Springfield business license if the business grosses $50,000 or more inside the Springfield city limits. 

Notes:

All businesses must register with the Tennessee Department of Revenue TNTAP program. 

Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application 

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$15

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

Clarksville Business License

Agency:City of Clarksville Finance and Revenue Department (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Business License Registration

Agency Fee:

$15

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

Davidson County Business Tax License

Agency:Davidson County Clerk (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Business Tax License or Minimal Activity License

Agency Fee:

$15 county fee; an additional $15 fee is added if the business is located within a city in the county

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

Davidson County Minimal Activity License

Agency:Davidson County Clerk (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Business Tax License or Minimal Activity License

Agency Fee:

$15 county fee; an additional $15 fee is added if the business is located within a city in the county.

Registration Renewal

Agency Fee:

The fee for a business license or minimal activity license is $30 if you are located in the USD (Metro) and $15 if you are located in the GSD (County only).

Due:

Annually by the 15th day of the fourth month following the end of your fiscal year.

Notes:

Minimal Activity Licenses are renewed through the county clerk's office.

Dickson County Business Tax License

Agency:Dickson County Clerk's Office (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business Tax License Application

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

$15

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

Goodlettsville Business License

Agency:City of Goodlettsville City Clerk's Office (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Instructions:

Goodlettsville is located in Davidson and Sumner County both. It is required that every business has a County and City Business License before you open. Obtain your County License first and bring it with you to apply for your City License. You may acquire these licenses at the appropriate County Clerk’s Office and Goodlettsville City Hall.

Filing Method:

Mail 

Required Attachments:
  • Davidson County Business License
  • Sumner County Business License

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

Hamilton County Business License

Agency:Hamilton County Clerk Mail & Internet Services (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$15

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

Johnson City Business License

Agency:Johnson City Finance Department (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Application

Agency Fee:

$15

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

Knox County Business License Tax

Agency:Knox County Clerk's Office (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Business Tax License or Minimal Activity License

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$15

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

Knoxville Business Tax License

Agency:City of Knoxville Business License/Tax Office (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Business Tax License Application

Agency Fee:

$15

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

Maury County Business License

Agency:Maury County Clerk's Office (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application 

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

$15

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

Montgomery County Business License

Agency:Montgomery County Clerks Office (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Financial Requirements:
  • $0 - $3,000 (Gross Sales) - No business license is required.
  • $3,001 - $9,999 (Gross Sales) - Minimal Activity License - The Minimal Activity License is $15 annually and can be obtained through the local county clerk's office or directly from the Tennessee Department of Revenue. A Minimal Activity License does not require a tax return to be filed. A new Minimal Activity License must be issued annually based on the fiscal year of the business.
  • $10,000 and over (Gross Sales) - Regular business license required and taxes remitted electronically.
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$15

Law:

TCA § 67-4-708.

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

Mount Juliet Business Tax Registration

Agency:Mount Juliet Finance Department (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Application and Instruction

Agency Fee:

$15

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

Murfreesboro Business License

Agency:City of Murfreesboro Finance and Tax Department (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

You must obtain your business license in person from the finance department or phone them to request the form to be sent via mail or email.

Agency Fee:

$15

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

Robertson County Business Tax Registration

Agency:Robertson County Clerk's Office (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Standard or Minimal Business License Application

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$15

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

Rutherford County Business License

Agency:Rutherford County Office of the Rutherford County Clerk (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$15

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

Shelby County Business License

Agency:Shelby County Business Tax Division (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Application

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$15 for a Shelby County license; $30 if the business is located in Memphis.

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

Sumner County Business License

Agency:Sumner County Clerk (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$15

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

Town of Smyrna Business License

Agency:Town of Smyrna (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application 

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$15

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

Washington County Business License

Agency:Washington County Clerk's Office (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$15

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

Williamson County Business License

Agency:Williamson County Business Tax Office and Codes Department (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Local Business Tax Form

Agency Fee:

$15

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

Wilson County Business Tax License

Agency:Wilson County Clerk's Office (TN)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business Tax License Registration Application

Filing Method:

Mail or online 

Agency Fee:

$15 Cash or Check, $15.56 Credit/Debit, $16.32 Online (Visa, Mastercard, and Discover accepted). 

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A standard business license is renewed by the annual payment of taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this tax is paid each year, the county clerk or city official will provide a license for the next year. There is no charge for a renewal license.

Learn about general business licensing requirements in other states:

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