Can I sign the return electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are generally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted; ensure the signer demonstrates intent, consents to electronic delivery, and the record is retained in reproducible form.

Is a notary required to file the return?

Typically no. State tax returns normally do not require notarization; however, certain affidavits or power-of-attorney documents may need notarization or a separate authorization form.

What if the FEIN is entered incorrectly?

An incorrect FEIN can prevent the state from matching the return to your account, potentially causing processing delays, notices, and backup withholding triggers for other filings.

How should supporting schedules be submitted?

Attach reconciliations and apportionment schedules as searchable PDF or spreadsheet files when filing electronically; label attachments clearly to match return line references.

How long should I keep records?

Retain returns and supporting documentation at least three years per IRS guidance (IRC §6501(a)); maintain longer retention for state-specific or industry-driven requirements.

Electronic Signature
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Tax
Tennessee Franchise and Excise Tax Return

Tennessee Franchise and Excise Tax Return

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

What the Tennessee Franchise and Excise Tax Return Is

The Tennessee Franchise and Excise Tax Return is the official state filing used by entities subject to Tennessee franchise and excise taxes to report taxable base, apportionment factors, credits, and payments for a tax period. The return documents corporate net earnings (excise) and measure of entity net worth or business activity (franchise) as required by the Tennessee Department of Revenue, supports reconciliation with federal schedules, and must be accompanied by required schedules and supporting calculations when filed.

Why Completing This Return Correctly Matters

Accurate Tennessee Franchise and Excise Tax Returns ensure compliance with state tax obligations, reduce the risk of assessments and interest, and support consistent accounting for franchise and excise liabilities across tax periods. Electronic completion and structured supporting schedules make reviews and audits easier for the taxpayer and the state.

Who typically prepares and signs this return

The Tennessee Franchise and Excise Tax Return is prepared by in-house tax teams, external tax preparers, or corporate accounting departments and signed by authorized officers or authorized agents before filing.

Corporate tax departments and controllers who track multistate apportionment and prepare schedules for excise and franchise calculations.
External CPAs and tax firms engaged to compute tax liabilities, review apportionment, and assemble supporting documentation.
Business owners or officers who manage cash flow and authorize payments tied to the return.

Whoever completes the return should have access to entity accounting records, the federal return(s) for reconciliation, and the corporate authorization to sign or bind the entity for tax matters.

Who Has Authority to Sign the Return

Corporate Officer

An officer (CEO, CFO, President) may sign the return certifying accuracy and authorization; signing carries personal attestation that records reflect the entity's liability and payments.

Authorized Agent

A third-party preparer or agent may sign if properly authorized by a power of attorney or written authorization filed with the Tennessee Department of Revenue; ensure the document granting authority is current and retained.

Core components you’ll find on the return

The Tennessee Franchise and Excise Tax Return consists of structured sections for entity identification, taxable base calculations, apportionment factors, claimed credits, tax computation, and payment or balance due. Completing each component with supporting schedules reduces follow-up from the state.

Entity Identification

Legal name, FEIN, Tennessee account number, and tax year reported.

Excise Calculation

Net earnings or taxable income adjustments used to compute excise tax liability.

Franchise Calculation

Measure of net worth or base specified by Tennessee statute used to compute franchise liability.

Apportionment Schedule

Apportionment factors and formulas allocating income to Tennessee for multistate businesses.

Credits and Adjustments

State credits, prior-year overpayments, and permitted deductions reducing tax due.

Signature & Payment

Officer signature, preparer block, payment voucher, and remit instructions for any balance due.

Data and security elements to safeguard

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit

Data at rest: AES-256 encryption

Certifications: SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001

Healthcare compliance: HIPAA BAA available

Audit trail: Detailed timestamps and IP logs

Access controls: Role-based permissions and SSO

Step-by-step: Filling and filing the Tennessee return

Follow these core steps to prepare, verify, and submit the Tennessee Franchise and Excise Tax Return.

01

Gather records: Assemble federal returns, state adjustments, and apportionment schedules.
02

Compute tax bases: Calculate excise net earnings and franchise base per instructions.
03

Complete return: Enter figures, attach schedules, and check arithmetic.
04

File and pay: Submit via the state portal or mail voucher with payment as required.

How to configure an online workflow for this return

Set up a consistent digital workflow so preparers, reviewers, and signers handle the same documents and approvals every filing cycle.

Field	Configuration
Authentication Method	Email + SMS code or organization SSO for signers
Required Attachments	Apportionment schedules and federal reconciliation PDFs
Calculated Fields	Use formula fields to auto-calculate totals
Routing Order	Preparer → Tax Manager → Authorized Officer

Where and how to submit the completed return

After completion, choose the correct submission channel and confirm that payment, signatures, and attachments are included.

Prepare package: Include return PDF, schedules, and payment voucher where required.
Electronic filing: Submit via Tennessee Department of Revenue online portal or approved e-file provider.
Manual filing: Mail signed return and payment voucher to the department address if allowed.
Retain proof: Keep submission receipts, confirmation numbers, and signed copies.

Key timing and deadline considerations

Deadlines vary by entity type and fiscal year; confirm the specific due date for your filing period and note extensions or payment deadlines.

Filing frequency:

Typically annual; some entities may have alternative periods

Payment timing:

Payment due with return unless installment schedule applies

Extension requests:

State may allow extensions; interest usually accrues

Estimated payments:

Quarterly estimates may apply to certain taxpayers

Record retention:

Keep supporting documentation for required retention periods

Common preparation errors to avoid

Using incorrect FEIN or business name that prevents state matching and triggers inquiries.
Omitting apportionment schedules or rounding apportionment factors inconsistently with instructions.
Failing to attach required federal reconciliation schedules or state-specific credit documentation.
Submitting unsigned returns or using an unauthorized signer that invalidates the filing.

Penalties and consequences of incorrect filings

Late filing penalty: Interest and penalties apply

Underpayment interest: Accrues from due date

Assessment risk: State can assess additional tax

Loss of credits: Credits may be disallowed

Audit exposure: Increases likelihood of examination

Criminal penalties: Willful misstatement carries risk

eSignature vendor snapshot for signing and submitting tax returns

Compare core pricing and capabilities to support secure signing and submission of the Tennessee Franchise and Excise Tax Return; signNow is shown first per vendor comparison convention.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Bulk Send	Yes (Business Premium)	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Formats and supporting documents commonly used

Provide the return in standard archival formats and include supporting schedules and reconciliations to streamline state review.

PDF Archive

Signed return and schedules saved as searchable PDF/A for long-term retention.

Spreadsheet Backups

Maintain Excel copies of calculations and apportionment factors for auditability.

Federal Returns

Attach copies of federal income tax returns used for reconciliation.

Support Schedules

Detailed apportionment, credits, and adjustment schedules required by the state.

Real-world examples of digital signing and filing

These customer examples illustrate how organizations streamline signature and submission workflows for recurring tax and compliance documents.

Optica Ventures LLC — Brian Fitzgibbons, COO

Optica uses digital workflows to collect approved signatures quickly

Their customers complete documents online with minimal friction
The firm reports easier review cycles and fewer missing attachments when returns are signed and returned electronically.

Xerox — Kodi-Marie Evans, Director of NetSuite Operations

Xerox integrated signing into NetSuite for consistent approvals

This reduced manual routing across departments
Integration ensured the right signatures on required tax and finance documents and simplified reconciliation for state filings.

Distribution channels and technical integrations

Choose distribution and integration options that match your accounting stack and document lifecycle.

CRM and ERP: Salesforce, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics
Collaboration Suites: Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams
Cloud Storage: Box, Egnyte, AWS integrations

Frequently asked questions about the Tennessee return and electronic signing

Answers to common questions about completing, signing, and storing the Tennessee Franchise and Excise Tax Return.

Need help? Contact support

Can I sign the return electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are generally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted; ensure the signer demonstrates intent, consents to electronic delivery, and the record is retained in reproducible form.
Is a notary required to file the return?
Typically no. State tax returns normally do not require notarization; however, certain affidavits or power-of-attorney documents may need notarization or a separate authorization form.
What if the FEIN is entered incorrectly?
An incorrect FEIN can prevent the state from matching the return to your account, potentially causing processing delays, notices, and backup withholding triggers for other filings.
How should supporting schedules be submitted?
Attach reconciliations and apportionment schedules as searchable PDF or spreadsheet files when filing electronically; label attachments clearly to match return line references.
Can I delegate signing to a preparer?
Yes, with a valid power of attorney or written authorization filed with the Tennessee Department of Revenue; keep the authorization on file and attached when required.
How long should I keep records?
Retain returns and supporting documentation at least three years per IRS guidance (IRC §6501(a)); maintain longer retention for state-specific or industry-driven requirements.

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