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Tennessee Franchise and Excise Tax Return

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TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE - Franchise and Excise Tax Return

Tax Year Beginning:    Tax Year Ending:

Amended return    Final return for termination or withdrawal    Application of Public Law 86-272 to excise tax

Taxpayer has made an election to calculate net worth per the provisions of Tenn. Code Ann. § 67-4-2103(g)-(i)

Annualized income installment method election for quarterly estimates

Manufacturer single sales factor election

Taxpayer has filed for federal extension

Legal Name:

Mailing Address:

City:    State:    ZIP Code:

FEIN:    Account Number:

NAICS:    SOS Control Number:

Schedule A - Computation of Franchise Tax

1. Total net worth

2. Total real & tangible personal property

3. Franchise tax

Schedule B - Computation of Excise Tax

4. Income subject to excise tax

5. Excise tax

6. Recapture of tax credit / additional excise tax

7. Total excise tax due

Schedule C - Computation of Total Tax Due or Overpayment

8. Total franchise and excise taxes

9. Total credit

10. Net tax

11. Total payments

12. Penalty

13. Interest

14. Penalty on estimated payments

15. Interest on estimated payments

16. Total amount due / overpaid

A. Credit to next year’s tax $    B. Refund $

Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this report, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, it is true, correct, and complete.

Taxpayer's Signature:

Date:

Title:

Tax Preparer's Signature:

Preparer's PTIN:

Date:

Telephone:

Preparer's Address:

City:    State:    ZIP Code:

Preparer's Email Address:

Schedule D - Schedule of Credits

1. Gross Premiums Tax Credit

2. Tennessee Income Tax

3. Green Energy Tax Credit

4. Brownfield Property Credit

5. Industrial Machinery Credit

6. Job Tax Credit

7. Additional Annual Job Tax Credit

8. Total credit

Schedule E - Schedule of Required Quarterly Installments and Payments

1. Overpayment from previous year

2. First quarterly estimate Paid

3. Second quarterly estimate Paid

4. Third quarterly estimate Paid

5. Fourth quarterly estimate Paid

6. Extension payment

7. Total payments

Computation of Franchise Tax

Schedule F1 - Non-Consolidated Net Worth

1. Net worth

2. Indebtedness to parent or affiliated corporation

3. Total Lines 1 and 2

4. Franchise tax apportionment ratio %

5. Total

Schedule F2 - Consolidated Net Worth

1. Consolidated net worth

2. Franchise tax apportionment ratio %

3. Total

Schedule G - Determination of Real and Tangible Property

1. Land

2. Buildings, leaseholds, and improvements

3. Machinery, equipment, furniture, and fixtures

4. Automobiles and trucks

5. Prepaid supplies and other tangible personal property

6. Ownership share of partnership property

7a. Inventories and work in progress

7b. Exempt finished goods inventory in excess of $30 million

8. Certified pollution control equipment

9. Exempt required capital investment

10. Subtotal

Schedule H - Gross Receipts

1. Gross receipts or sales per federal income tax return

Schedule J - Computation of Net Earnings Subject to Excise Tax

1. Federal income or loss

2. Intangible expenses paid or incurred

3. IRC Section 168 depreciation adjustment

4. Gain on sale of asset

5. Tennessee excise tax expense

6. Gross premiums tax deducted

7. Interest income on obligations of states

8. Depletion not based on actual recovery of cost

9. Excess fair market value over book value of donated property

10. Excess rent to/from an affiliate

11. Net loss or expense from pass-through entity

12. Total additions

13. Permitted depreciation adjustment

14. Excess gain or loss from basis adjustment

15. Dividends received from corporations at least 80% owned

16. Donations to qualified organizations

17. Other expense allowed as federal credit

18. Safe harbor lease adjustment

19. Nonbusiness earnings

20. Intangible expenses paid to affiliated entity

21. Intangible income from affiliated business entity

22. Net gain or income received from pass-through entity

23. Total deductions

24. Total business income (loss)

25. Excise tax apportionment ratio %

26. Apportioned business income (loss)

27. Nonbusiness earnings directly allocated to Tennessee

28. Loss carryover from prior years

29. Subject to excise tax

Schedule K - Determination of Loss Carryover Available

1. Net loss from Schedule J

2. Amounts reported on Schedule J, Lines 15 and 19

3. Amounts reported on Schedule J1/J2

4. Reduced loss

5. Excise tax apportionment ratio %

6. Current year loss carryover available

Schedule M - Nonbusiness Earnings

Schedules N, O, P, R, S - Apportionment

Apportionment ratio entries and factor calculations may be entered below as needed for the applicable schedule.

Schedule T - Industrial Machinery and Research and Development Equipment

1. Purchase price of industrial machinery and research and development equipment

2. Percentage allowed %

3. Current year credit

4. Credit available from prior year(s)

5. Total credit available

6. Franchise and excise tax liability before any credits

7. Limitation on credit

8. Franchise and excise tax liability before any credits

9. Credits from Schedule D

10. Tax before Industrial Machinery Credit

11. Amount available in current year

12. Reduction to credit carryover table

13. Recapture of credit

Schedule U - Schedule of Loss Carryover

Schedule U entries:

Schedule V - Schedule of Industrial Machinery and Research and Development Equipment Credit Carryover

Schedule V entries:

Enter text✕

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.

Why Completing This Return Correctly Matters

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.


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