I formed a Tennessee LLC about six months ago for a small landscaping side business. Today I got an envelope from the "Metropolitan Clerk's Office" with a notice that says something about a "business tax notice" and a due date. I'm the only member and I work out of my truck, no storefront. Did I miss a filing? The LLC is registered with the Secretary of State and I have my EIN. I'm not sure if this is legit or a mistake.
LLC Notice
Why did my Tennessee LLC receive a notice from a local government office?
Which county or city are you in? "Metropolitan Clerk" sounds like it could be a local business tax license. Some Tennessee cities require a business tax license separate from the state registration, especially if you're inside city limits.
Could also be the county clerk sending a business tax notice. I'd call the number on the notice bbut look up the office independently first, not just dial whatever is printed. Some of these notices are from third-party filers that look official.
I'm in Davidson County. The notice has a QR code and a phone number, but I haven't scanned anything yet. I did register the LLC with the state but didn't do anything at the county level. I didn't know there was a county step.
Davidson County has a business tax license through the clerk's office for certain businesses. Landscaping might fall under it. i'd go to the county clerk's actual website and search for business tax license. Don't rely on the notice's QR code until you've verified the office.
This is probably the county business tax. I got one when I started my LLC a few years back and ignored it because I assume the state registration covered everything. Turns out it didn't. Mine was a one-page form and a small fee, but it depended on estimated gross receipts.
Not every LLC gets one. If you have no physical location and work only from a vehicle, the rules can get weird depending on the city. But the notice itself might still be valid. I'd call the clerk's office and ask specifically what the notice is for and whether it applies to a mobile landscaping business.
Also check if the notice is from the city or the county. Davidson County and Nashville are basically merged, but the business tax license may be issued by the county clerk while a separate city permit could exist. The notice should say which office issued it exactly.
I'd second not scanning the QR code before verifying. I've seen fake notices that mimic government letters and lead to third-party filing sites that charge extra. The real county clerk's office should have a phone number listed on the county website, so compare it to the one on the notice.
Thanks. I looked up the county clerk's site and the phone number matches the one on the notice, so that helps. The notice says it's a business tax license application and mentions gross receipts. I'm going to call tomorrow and ask if a mobile landscaping LLC with no storefront still needs to file before the due date.