Freelance / Consulting Permits & Licenses in Chattanooga, TN

Required for all businesses with 5 or more employees in Tennessee. Agricultural and domestic workers may be exempt. Sole proprietors and partners are not required to cover themselves unless they have employees. LLC members are not considered employees unless they elect coverage.

Not legally required by Tennessee state law for consulting businesses. However, often required by contracts, leases, or clients. Recommended for risk mitigation.

Not legally required in Tennessee for freelance consultants. However, strongly recommended, especially if providing advice or services that could lead to client financial loss. May be contractually required.

Tennessee does not require surety bonds for general consulting or freelance services. However, certain licensed professions (e.g., contractors, collection agencies, mortgage brokers) require bonds. Most consultants are not subject to bonding unless working under a regulated license.

Tennessee requires all vehicles used for business purposes to carry liability insurance meeting minimum limits: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, $15,000 property damage. Applies if business-owned or personal vehicle used regularly for business.

Not required by Tennessee law for freelance consultants unless they manufacture, distribute, or sell tangible goods. Not applicable to service-only consultants. However, potential liability exposure makes it advisable if products are involved.

Only required for businesses holding a liquor license (e.g., bars, restaurants). Not applicable to freelance consultants unless they operate a venue serving alcohol. Most consultants are exempt.

Required for all LLCs. Online filing available via Tennessee Secretary of State portal. Annual Report required separately (see below).

Applies to all LLCs. Filing maintains good standing. Online filing required.

Registration valid for 4 years. Required if LLC uses a trade name or DBA. County-level registration repealed effective July 1, 2019.

Most freelance/consulting services are not subject to sales tax unless specifically taxable (e.g., certain professional services). Verify via Dept of Revenue.

CPA license requires exam (Uniform CPA Exam), 150 semester hours education, 1 year experience. Not required for general business consulting.

Requires NCEES exam, education, and experience. General management consulting exempt.

Requires ARE exam and experience. Not applicable to general consulting.

Tennessee does NOT have statewide general business license. Check specific city/county (e.g., Nashville requires via Metro License & Permits). Not state-level.

Most consulting services are not subject to sales tax in Tennessee unless they involve tangible personal property or specific taxable services (e.g., software, digital products). However, if the consulting involves taxable components, registration is required. See TN Code § 67-6-202 and Tennessee DOR Guidance Letter #18-04.

Applies to all employers in Tennessee. Includes withholding state income tax from employee wages. Form REV-429 must be filed to register. See TN Code § 67-4-201.

Employers must register using Form UI-1A. New employers pay a standard rate until experience rating is established. See TN Code § 50-7-303.

All Tennessee LLCs are subject to franchise and excise tax regardless of business activity. The excise tax is 6.5% of net earnings; franchise tax is based on net worth. Filed annually using Form FAE-101. See TN Code § 67-4-2014.

Not all cities/county impose this tax. Examples: Nashville charges based on gross receipts; Memphis has a Business Privilege Tax. Must be registered with the local tax authority or through the state. See Tennessee Code Annotated § 67-4-7001 et seq.

Some Tennessee cities (e.g., Nashville, Memphis) may require a surety bond as part of the local business license process, particularly for higher-risk businesses. Most freelance consultants are not subject to this unless specified locally. Verify with local clerk.

All LLCs are required to obtain an EIN regardless of whether they have employees. This is used for federal tax reporting. Even single-member LLCs must have an EIN if they are taxed as a corporation or have employees.

A multi-member LLC files Form 1065 (Partnership Return), while a single-member LLC is disregarded and reports income on Schedule C of Form 1040. Estimated quarterly taxes (Form 1040-ES) are required if expected tax liability exceeds $1,000 annually.

Applies to owners of LLCs treated as sole proprietorships or partnerships. Paid via Form 1040-ES. This is required even if no employees are hired.

Required for all U.S. employers to verify identity and work authorization. Applies only if the consulting business hires employees. Independent contractors do not require I-9.

FLSA sets federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour), overtime pay (1.5x regular rate after 40 hours/week), recordkeeping, and child labor rules. Does not apply to self-employed consultants without employees.

FMLA requires covered employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for qualifying medical/family reasons. Only applies if the LLC meets size and location thresholds.

Employers must provide a workplace free from recognized hazards. Most freelance consultants working remotely without employees are not subject to routine OSHA enforcement. However, the General Duty Clause applies if employees are present.

Title III requires businesses serving the public to be accessible. For freelance consultants, this may include accessible websites, client communications, and meeting spaces. DOJ has increasingly enforced web accessibility under ADA.

FTC requires that all advertising be truthful, not misleading, and substantiated. Applies to freelance consultants making claims about services, results, or credentials. Includes online marketing, testimonials, and social media.

Most Tennessee cities require all businesses, including home-based and freelance operations, to obtain a local business license. Some jurisdictions exempt low-revenue businesses, but thresholds are often low (e.g., $10k+ gross receipts).

Freelance/consulting LLCs must register with county trustee or assessor; no state business license since 2021, but local applies universally

Must apply to city clerk or revenue department; consulting services typically low fee. Confirm for specific city via local .gov site

Requirements include no external signage, limited traffic/clients, no employees. Check county zoning ordinance (e.g., Knox County Code Sec. 30-217)

Contact county planning department for zoning district review. Shelby County Unified Development Code Chapter 5

Chattanooga Code of Ordinances Sec. 28-62; not required for purely freelance consulting without modifications

Memphis Code Sec. 16-77.3; home-based signs often limited (e.g., 2 sq ft max)

Nashville Fire Prevention Code based on IFC; typically not required for home-based freelance without clients onsite

Required in many cities to reduce false alarms; Knox County Ordinance Sec. 4-514

Pure consulting (e.g., business, IT) exempt; only if health-related or food involved

Self-employed individuals, including LLC owners, must make quarterly estimated tax payments for federal income and self-employment taxes using Form 1040-ES.

Most consulting services are not subject to sales tax in Tennessee unless they involve taxable tangible personal property. Registration required only if nexus exists and taxable sales occur.

Employers must withhold state income tax from employee wages and file Form WH-301. Freelance consultants without employees are not required to file.

Form 941 must be filed quarterly to report federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare taxes withheld from employee wages. Deposit schedules (monthly/semiweekly) depend on tax liability.

Employers must display current federal posters including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Employee Polygraph Protection Act, and OSHA. Tennessee does not require additional state-specific posters beyond federal mandates.

IRS recommends keeping business tax records for at least 3 years from filing date, or 7 years if claiming a loss carryback. Employment tax records must be kept for at least 4 years.

Most Tennessee cities and counties require a local business license. Fees are often based on gross receipts. Example: Nashville Business Tax Registration is due annually. Check with city clerk or county trustee for specific requirements.

Required under the Corporate Transparency Act for all LLCs unless specifically exempt. Reports beneficial owners (individuals owning 25%+ or exercising substantial control) to FinCEN. Not a public record.

All Tennessee LLCs must register for state taxes. Sales tax applies if selling taxable goods/services. Franchise tax applies if gross receipts exceed $100,000 annually (minimum $100).

Required of all Tennessee LLCs, regardless of revenue or activity. Failure results in loss of good standing.

All Tennessee LLCs must file an annual report with the Secretary of State. The fee is based on capital structure, with a maximum of $300. The report can be filed online via the TN SOS website.

Freelance/consulting businesses with gross receipts over $3,000 per year from services in Tennessee must register for and remit Business Tax. Threshold was increased from $10,000 to $3,000 effective January 1, 2022. Filing frequency (monthly/quarterly) depends on tax liability.

Freelance consultants who are also licensed professionals (e.g., CPAs, architects) must meet continuing education requirements set by their respective boards. General consultants without professional licenses are exempt.

All employers with employees must display OSHA Form 2203 (Job Safety and Health Protection poster) in a conspicuous location. Available for free download from OSHA website.

All Tennessee LLCs are subject to franchise and excise tax regardless of income. The excise tax is 6.5% on net earnings; franchise tax is 0.25% of net worth with a minimum tax of $100. Must file Form FAE 101 annually.