As of 2026-07-22 · verified against primary sources
Tennessee charitable solicitation registration: requirements, fees, and deadlines
| Registration | Required |
| Agency | Tennessee Secretary of State — Division of Business and Charitable Organizations |
| Initial fee | $50 |
| Renewal fee | $80–$240, tiered on revenue |
| Renewal / report due | last day of the 6th month after fiscal year end |
| Filing channel | Electronic filing available |
Who must register
Tennessee generally requires charitable organizations to register with the Tennessee Secretary of State — Division of Business and Charitable Organizations before soliciting contributions there, unless an exemption applies. Requirements attach to out-of-state charities soliciting Tennessee residents as well as local ones.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 48-101-504(a)(1) · official source
Exemptions we check for
Likely exempt if it is a bona fide religious institution — a church or established place of worship, a religious group not required to file Form 990, or an integral affiliated group meeting the statutory conditions — which Tennessee exempts from registration with nothing to file (T.C.A. § 48-101-502(a)(1); definition at § 48-101-501(b) as re-enacted by 2024 PC 533 § 5).
T.C.A. § 48-101-502(a)(1) ('The registration requirements of this part do not apply to
Likely exempt if it raises or receives $50,000 or less in contributions from the public during the fiscal year and uses no professional solicitors, fundraising counsel, or commercial co-venturers (Tenn. Code Ann. § 48-101-502(a)(2) as amended eff. 2024-07-01) — the exemption must be claimed with a sworn Exemption Request and RE-FILED ANNUALLY within six months of fiscal year end, at no fee; registration is required within 30 days of exceeding the threshold.
2024 Pub. Ch. 533 § 6 (eff. 2024-07-01), replacing § 48-101-502(a)(2), verbatim in tn-primary-sources.md: public-contributions <= $50,000/FY; VOID if ANY pro… · a filing is required to claim this exemption
The state, not Steadworthy, decides whether an exemption applies.
Financial statement thresholds
- Independent audit at $1,000,000+ gross revenue · Tenn. Code Ann. § 48-101-506(b)(2)(A) as amended by 2024 Pub. Ch. 615 § 4 (effective on becoming law, March 2024): audited financial statement above $1,000,0…
Is your charity registered in Tennessee? Check free.
Citations
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 48-101-504(a)(1) · source · verified 2026-07-22
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 48-101-504(a)(1) (registration with the secretary of state) · source · verified 2026-07-22
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 48-101-504(b) · source · verified 2026-07-22
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 48-101-506(c)(1) tier table on 'organization's gross revenue' (all-source, § 506(c)(2)): $0-$50k -> $80; -$100k -> $120; -$250k -> $160; -$… · source · verified 2026-07-22
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 48-101-506(d) · source · verified 2026-07-22
- TNCaB portal ('may be submitted online'); card/e-check or paper check; legacy paper forms remain — NO e-file mandate found (§ 504(a)(1) lets the SOS prescrib… · source · verified 2026-07-22
- T.C.A. § 48-101-502(a)(1) ('The registration requirements of this part do not apply to · source · verified 2026-07-23
- 2024 Pub. Ch. 533 § 6 (eff. 2024-07-01), replacing § 48-101-502(a)(2), verbatim in tn-primary-sources.md: public-contributions <= $50,000/FY; VOID if ANY pro… · source · verified 2026-07-22
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 48-101-506(b)(2)(A) as amended by 2024 Pub. Ch. 615 § 4 (effective on becoming law, March 2024): audited financial statement above $1,000,0… · source · verified 2026-07-22
Statuses and requirements reflect public records and cited sources as of the dates shown. Informational, not legal advice.