Online store licenses
in Nashville, Tennessee
Start with the main licenses and permits below. For a checklist based on your own business, tell us what you’re opening and how it will operate.
Researched Sep 2026
About this example
This owner-operated, home-based online retailer in Nashville, Tennessee, sells tangible goods exclusively online and does not prepare or serve food or alcohol. The business must comply with state and local licensing requirements, including sales tax registration and a business tax license from Davidson County. BOI reporting depends on formation country; U.S.-formed entities are exempt.
Requirement labels below refer to this setup. Conditional items depend on additional details.
Authorities researched
- Federal
- United States
- State
- Tennessee
- County
- Davidson County
- City
- Nashville
Details to confirm before you apply
- What is the current fee for the Home Occupation Permit?
- What is the processing time for the Home Occupation Permit?
- Is the business eligible for exemption from the Home Occupation Permit based on its online-only nature?
- What is the exact Nashville city business tax rate?
- Are there any additional local home-occupation requirements that need to be met?
- What is the renewal process for the Home Occupation Permit?
- Where was or will the business entity be formed, and if formed under foreign-country law, what U.S. registration and BOI exemptions apply?
- Confirm with the responsible agencies whether additional requirements apply in these areas: City business license or tax registration. These areas remain unresolved in this guide.
The main licenses and permits
6 of 8- 01Sales and Use Tax Registration (Certificate of Registration)Tennessee Department of Revenue · Tennessee
The store sells tangible personal property online; businesses averaging more than $400 per month in sales of tangible personal property must register for sales and use tax.
RequiredNot published (no renewal fee published) - 02Business Tax Registration (state business tax + county/municipal business license)Tennessee Department of Revenue (tax); Davidson County/Metro Nashville clerk (license) · Tennessee
All businesses selling goods in Tennessee are subject to the state business tax; in-state businesses with gross receipts over $3,000 must obtain a minimal activity license from the county/municipal clerk, and $100,000 or more requires a standard license.
RequiredAnnual (business tax due the 15th day of the fourth month after the fiscal year ends) - 03Business Tax License / Minimal Activity LicenseDavidson County Clerk, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County · County
The business operates from a home in Davidson County and will sell goods with annual gross receipts over $3,000, which Tennessee law subjects to the local business tax license issued by the county clerk.
RequiredAnnual; the state business tax is due the 15th day of the fourth month after the fiscal year ends and the license renews each year. - 04Home Occupation PermitMetro Nashville Codes Department (zoning examinations) · Nashville
A permit is required if the online-store activity falls within the defined home occupation/home business categories under Metro Code Title 17. Whether a purely online operation with no customers visiting the home, no employees on site, and no exterior signs is exempt could not be confirmed from an official page; you must confirm eligibility with Metro Codes before operating.
ConditionalNot published; permits are not transferable and one permit is allowed per property owner. - 05Certificate of Formation (LLC) — business entity registrationTennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services · Tennessee
Required only if the owner forms an LLC or corporation; a sole proprietorship needs no entity registration with the Secretary of State.
ConditionalAnnual report due each year (SOS FAQ: LLC annual report fee $300 minimum up to $3,000 maximum) - 06Assumed Name (DBA) registrationTennessee Secretary of State · Tennessee
Required only if operating under a name other than the legal name of the LLC or corporation.
ConditionalNot published
This example includes 2 other potential requirements. A report based on your business explains which apply, how to file, published fees and timing, and what to complete first.
Make the checklist yours
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Questions people ask
What city business licenses or registrations should an online store in Nashville check?
This guide does not establish whether Nashville requires a stand-alone general business license or registration. Confirm that question with the city, in addition to reviewing the industry permits and registrations below.
How much do licenses and permits cost for an online store in Nashville?
About $45 in published fixed fees, plus variable fees. Several items have fees that depend on your entity type, square footage, or payroll, so the full report lists each fee as the agency publishes it.
What should I do first?
Review Employer Identification Number (EIN) (if applicable) (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)), then Certificate of Formation (LLC) — business entity registration (if applicable) (Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services), then Assumed Name (DBA) registration (if applicable) (Tennessee Secretary of State). Confirm each item's applicability and prerequisites before applying; the report provides a suggested order for the full checklist.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is a research summary of public requirements published by government agencies, each linked to its official page. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.
Related guides
Researched from official government sources on September 2, 2026 for a typical online store. Requirements change and depend on your facts; this page is not legal advice. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.