Franchise FAQ

how to avoid tennessee franchise tax

by Zack Sauer Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
image

How do I avoid franchise tax in Tennessee? When calculating Franchise Tax, if the holding entity owns an interest in several other entities, its equity can potentially be taxed more than once. This potential negative tax effect can be avoided for an affiliated group by making a joint election to compute net worth on a consolidated basis.

Seventeen different types of entities are exempt from the franchise and excise taxes.
  1. Industrial Development Corporations.
  2. Masonic lodges and similar lodges.
  3. Regulated Investment Companies owning 75% in United States, Tennessee, or local bonds.
  4. Federal and state credit unions.
  5. Venture Capital Funds.

Full Answer

What is the Tennessee franchise and excise tax?

The Tennessee Franchise and Excise tax has two levels: $0.25 per $100 based on either the fixed asset or equity of the entity, whichever is greater. When calculating Franchise Tax, if the holding entity owns an interest in several other entities, its equity can potentially be taxed more than once.

What is the difference between the excise tax and franchise tax?

The franchise tax is based on the greater of net worth or the book value of real or tangible personal property owned or used in Tennessee. The excise tax is based on net earnings or income for the tax year.

How do I file for an exemption from franchise tax?

You can file for an exemption using the Tennessee Taxpayer Access Point (TNTAP), without creating a logon . Visit TNTAP for more information. Seventeen different types of entities are exempt from the franchise and excise taxes. Regulated Investment Companies owning 75% in United States, Tennessee, or local bonds

What is a privilege or franchise tax?

Many states place a separate tax, known as a privilege or franchise tax, on certain types of businesses. This is usually a tax imposed for the right to do business in a given state. Excise and franchise taxes apply to most businesses in Tennessee, excluding sole proprietorships and general partnerships.

image

How much is franchise tax in Tennessee?

The Tennessee Franchise and Excise tax has two levels: 6.5% excise tax on the net earnings of the entity, and. $0.25 per $100 based on either the fixed asset or equity of the entity, whichever is greater. When calculating Franchise Tax, if the holding entity owns an interest in several other entities, its equity can potentially be taxed more ...

Why is self employment tax excluded from Tennessee tax return?

Income subject to self-employment tax is also excluded from the excise return, because Tennessee does not have an individual income tax. Most entities doing business in Tennessee are required ...

What is the benefit of filing franchise tax?

A major benefit of filing franchise tax on a consolidated net worth basis is to combine members with negative capital accounts and members with positive capital accounts. The negative net worth of the first member will reduce the positive net worth of the second member. The combination will result in a lower overall tax liability for the consolidated group. Additionally, as mentioned above, if the assets of the reporting entity are higher than the apportioned consolidated net worth, the franchise tax is calculated based on the assets instead of consolidated net worth. This presents another opportunity for savings upon consolidation. If the flow through entity’s assets are greater than total net worth, the flow through entity might pay tax on the fixed assets, and the holding entity could pay tax on the investment in the flow through (positive equity). With consolidation, only the fixed assets of the flow through entity are taxed.

When do you have to file a consolidated net worth registration?

To compute net worth on a consolidated basis, all members of an affiliated group must file a group consolidated net worth registration form before the due date of the tax return. After the election is made, each member of the affiliated group needs to compute its net worth on a consolidated basis.

Can franchise tax be based on net worth?

Most taxpayers can benefit from calculating their franchise tax based on a consolidated net worth. In fact, rarely would it benefit qualifying taxpayers to file on an unconsolidated basis.

Can you tax franchises more than once?

When calculating Franchise Tax, if the holding entity owns an interest in several other entities, its equity can potentially be taxed more than once . This potential negative tax effect can be avoided for an affiliated group by making a joint election to compute net worth on a consolidated basis.

Does a flow through entity pay taxes?

If the flow through entity’s assets are greater than total net worth, the flow through entity might pay tax on the fixed assets, and the holding entity could pay tax on the investment in the flow through (positive equity).

Who is exempt from franchise and excise tax in Tennessee?

Family-owned, noncorporate entities (FONCEs) that own commercial or industrial real estate, and. Limited liability companies (LLCs) and limited partnerships (LPs) that have been exempt from Tennessee franchise and excise tax.

How do I avoid franchise tax in Tennessee?

This potential negative tax effect can be avoided for an affiliated group by making a joint election to compute net worth on a consolidated basis.

How do I get exempt from Tennessee taxes?

You can file for an exemption using the Tennessee Taxpayer Access Point (TNTAP), without creating a logon. Visit TNTAP for more information. Seventeen different types of entities are exempt from the franchise and excise taxes.

Who is subject to Tennessee excise tax?

If you are a corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company, or business trust chartered, qualified, or registered in Tennessee or doing business in this state, then you must register for and pay franchise and excise taxes.

How is Tennessee excise tax calculated?

The excise tax is calculated based on the net income of the LLC or corporation for each tax year. The excise tax is 6.5% of the net earnings of the corporation or LLC generated from business transaction in Tennessee for each tax year.

Is a single member LLC subject to Tennessee franchise and excise tax?

A single member limited liability company owned by an S corporation or real estate investment trust (REIT) is disregarded for franchise and excise tax purposes. These entities that are subject to the franchise or excise tax must file their own separate franchise and excise tax return.

What is exempt from sales tax in Tennessee?

Tangible personal property, taxable services, amusements, and digital products specifically intended for resale are not subject to tax. Retail sales to the federal government or its agencies and the State of Tennessee or a county or municipality within Tennessee are not subject to tax.

What is franchise tax?

The franchise tax is an additional yearly tax levied on the value of that real property on top of the real property taxes the entities already pay. Most business owners have their own attitudes on how they approach franchise and excise taxes, except perhaps for those businesses with significant hard assets that are unduly impacted or ...

What is substantial nexus?

Substantial nexus includes a direct or indirect connection between the taxpayer and the state, with the taxpayer being required to pay these taxes. Examples of what counts as substantial nexus are: 1 A taxpayer who uses or owns capital in Tennessee 2 A taxpayer who's organized or commercially active in Tennessee 3 A taxpayer with ongoing business activity in the state and who has gross receipts that are attributable to customers 4 A taxpayer who licenses intangible property to another party in Tennessee and who gets income from that use 5 A taxpayer with a bright-line presence in the state

What is franchise tax in Tennessee?

Tennessee franchise tax is an annual tax paid upon the value of an entity's assets. Many states place a separate tax, known as a privilege or franchise tax, on certain types of businesses. This is usually a tax imposed for the right to do business in a given state.

What is substantial nexus in Tennessee?

Substantial nexus includes a direct or indirect connection between the taxpayer and the state, with the taxpayer being required to pay these taxes. Examples of what counts as substantial nexus are:

What is a taxpayer in Tennessee?

A taxpayer who's organized or commercially active in Tennessee. A taxpayer with ongoing business activity in the state and who has gross receipts that are attributable to customers. A taxpayer who licenses intangible property to another party in Tennessee and who gets income from that use.

When did Tennessee change its tax rules?

In 1999, however, tax rules changed to extend these taxes to other entities, such as limited partnerships and limited liability companies. Previously, taxpayers who did business in Tennessee were subject to excise and franchise taxes.

How much is franchise tax?

The rate of franchise tax is 25 cents per $100 of value, so a business pays about $25 for every $10,000 worth of value. Due to this rather low rate, the total tax for an average company that doesn't own much expensive equipment isn't high, considering that the assets are valued at cost minus depreciation.

What is franchise exemption?

The FONCE Exemption is one of the most popular strategies individuals use when investing in rental real estate to avoid the Tennessee Franchise and Excise tax.

What happens if an LLC is changed from passive to non-qualified?

If the ownership of the LLC changes to non-qualified parties (under the FONCE Exemption), or the purpose of the LLC is changed from passive activities, the LLC will not qualify for the prior year and be subject to the Franchise and Excise Tax.

What happens if you don't file a tax exemption in Tennessee?

Next, if you don’t file the proper exemption, a Tennessee LLC is subject to a franchise and excise tax for the privilege of doing business in their State.

What is the exemption for rental property in Tennessee?

The Exemption that is most common for rental property owners in Tennessee, whether you’re a personal resident or not, is the “ FONCE” (Family-owned non-corporate entity) exemption.

How much is franchise tax?

Franchise Tax – Pay attention, this WILL apply to you as a rental property owner! The tax is based on the entity’s net-worth, OR the book value of all real estate, and taxed at the rate of 25 cents per $100 of value (Example: You own a property with a Fair Market Value of $200,000. It doesn’t matter how much the mortgage is or your equity, just the FMV. Your Franchise Tax would be $500. $200,000/$100 x .25).

What is passive investment income?

Passive investment income is defined as gross receipts derived from royalties, rents, dividends, interest, annuities, and the amount of any gain on the sale or exchange or stock or securities. An entity can also qualify with a combination of passive income and farming income, AND.

When are FAE 170 taxes due?

These taxes are reported and paid with Form FAE 170, due on April 15th each year , for the preceding year. See the FAE 170 Instructions for information on how to prepare and file this form – IF you have to.

image
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9