How to Dissolve an LLC in Tennessee? (2023 Guide)

Last updated: May 31, 2023

Tennessee LLCs are an excellent way for business owners to protect their assets from personal liability.

However, when the time comes to dissolve an LLC in Tennessee, there are some steps that you need to take to terminate it and close out your company legally.

Tennessee LLC dissolution is a complicated process, which is why we have decided to create the ultimate team of versatile attorneys and legal experts to help you facilitate this process stress-free, and packed with the right information.

This article discusses what Tennessee LLC dissolution entails and how business owners can go about dissolving their Tennessee LLC without any legal issues or repercussions.

Quick Summary

Dissolving an LLC in Tennessee starts with defining if it is a voluntary or involuntary decision.
Voluntary dissolution starts with notifying all members of the decision, while involuntary dissolution occurs when the state decides so
Complete the Articles of Termination including dealing with debt and taxes is a mandatory step

Reasons to Dissolve a Tennessee LLC

A Tennessee limited liability company can be dissolved for several reasons, including:

The company has not filed an annual report with the state for two consecutive years.
The company's articles of organization have been revoked.
The company's members have voted to dissolve it.
A creditor has obtained a judgment against the company and started proceedings to collect.

There is a difference between when the owners voluntarily dissolve an LLC and when the LLC is involuntarily dissolved by the state.

When an LLC is voluntarily dissolved, the members must file articles of dissolution with the state and wind up the company's affairs as per the operating agreement.

When an LLC is involuntarily dissolved, the state has determined that the company can no longer operate in the state.

Voluntary Dissolution of a Tennessee LLC

When LLC members decide to dissolve a Tennessee LLC voluntarily, they must take several steps to complete the dissolution process. The first step is to notify all members of the decision and provide them with a copy of the dissolution resolution.

Next, the LLC must file a Certificate of Dissolution with the Secretary of State Division of Business Services. Finally, the LLC must pay off any outstanding debts and distribute assets according to the Tennessee LLC operating agreement.

The notice of dissolution has to contain the following information:

The business name
The effective date of dissolution
A statement that the LLC members have voted to dissolve the LLC voluntarily
A copy of the resolution to dissolve

After filing the Certificate of Dissolution and paying a $20 filing fee, the Secretary of State'sSYER Division of Business Services will send a notice of termination to all registered agents.

The LLC is officially dissolved once the Secretary of State terminates its existence, usually after paying the filing fee.

Involuntary Dissolution of a Tennessee LLC

Administrative dissolution, also known as involuntary dissolution of a Tennessee LLC, happens when the LLC is no longer in good standing with the state.

This can occur for several reasons, including:

The company fails to file annual reports or pay taxes
The company's articles of organization are not filed correctly
A member files a lawsuit against the company and prevails
The company goes out of business.

When this happens, the Tennessee Secretary of State or the Internal Revenue Service has the right to dissolve the LLC.

When you know your LLC is being administratively dissolved, the first step to take is to stop doing business until all issues are resolved with the state or IRS.

You should also contact an attorney immediately, as this situation can be pretty complicated and expensive if it goes unresolved for too long.

The Steps after the Tennessee LLC Dissolution

Sending the notice of dissolution and paying the required filing fee is only the first step in the process of dissolving your Tennessee business entity.

For your LLC to be formally dissolved, you have to handle the winding-up process, which consists of taking care of the remaining LLC documents and paperwork, such as managing any remaining business debt, and outstanding taxes, and notifying the creditors about the dissolution process.

In most cases, it will follow the LLC's operating agreement.

Keep in mind that LLCs with accepted contributions have to file the Notice of Dissolution before proceeding with the remaining steps.

LLCs that haven't accepted contributions can go straight to filing the Tennessee LLC Articles of Termination.

Debt Settlement

If an LLC in Tennessee no longer conducts business, they have to appoint a member or a lawyer to settle all known debts and liabilities of the LLC.

Once all liabilities have been identified, the business can then move forward with the formal process of LLC dissolution.

The company will create a plan that explains how it will settle all debts and liabilities and inform the creditors about the plan. Creditors will then have to decide if they want to accept the proposed settlement or not.

If they don't, the business can still move forward with the debt settlement process, but it might be more difficult and could result in a legal battle.

Tax Clearance

A Tennessee limited liability company must notify the Tennessee Department of Revenue (DOR) if it ceases doing business in the state. In most cases calling the DOR should be enough to close your LLC account. They should also send you a tax clearance letter.

Once you get a tax clearance letter, you should show it to the Division of Business Services before they will finalize your dissolution.

There are two forms available to LLCs -LLC partnerships need to file IRS Form 1065, while an LLC taxed as a corporation files IRS Form 1120.

This is also the time to close all tax accounts with the Tennessee Department of Revenue.

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Filing the Articles of Termination

After closing all tax accounts, the last step in dissolving your LLC in Tennessee is to file Articles of Termination with the State's Division of Business Services.

The Articles of Termination have to include the name of the LLC, as well as its mailing address and date of filing. They also need to include the reason for termination, (which is, commonly, the fact that it has ceased doing business).

After you have filed your Articles of Termination with the Division of Business Services, they will issue a final certificate confirming dissolution.

FAQs

How Do I Dissolve a Foreign LLC in Tennessee?

A domestic Tennessee LLC is dissolved while foreign LLCs are withdrawn.

To withdraw a foreign LLC that can no longer transact business in the state, you need to file the Application for Cancellation of Certificate of Authority (Form SS-4241) along with the required administrative fees.

Know that in order to dissolve a limited partnership sending the IRS a letter of complete documentation is a mandatory step.

Can I Revoke the Dissolution of an LLC in Tennessee?

Yes, you can, but under one condition. The condition is that you have not filed the Articles of Termination with the State.

If you meet the requirement, send a written revocation of dissolution to all LLC members and file it with the Tennessee Secretary of State. The revocation will take effect when it is filed.

To remove your name from an LLC in Tennessee there must be a written notice and determination by a judge.

Is a Final Tax Return Required after Dissolution?

Yes. You need to file the tax return for the year that you dissolved the LLC and send the required annual report if there are any left behind.

Tennessee requires no specific form for the final tax return, but most likely, you will use different forms depending on the type of your entity.

When an entity is dissolved, there must naturally be certain steps for a business to end its existence as a legal entity.

Do I Need to File an Annual Report if I Close My Business Entity?

No, you do not need to file an annual report if your business is closed. However, you may still be required to pay taxes and/or fees depending on the closure type.