How to Get a Business License in Memphis — 2026 Guide
Quick Overview
Starting a business in Memphis, TN requires registrations across federal, state, county, and city agencies. The primary registration is the Business Tax License through the Division of Finance, Revenue Office.
Difficulty: 5-7/10. GCC revises fees regularly. Known for significant fee increases.
PermitBoard generates a complete, ordered roadmap for your specific business type in Memphis — with fees, timelines, and direct links to every form. Get My Roadmap →
Should You Start a Business in Memphis?
✔ Pros:
- Large market (630K population)
- City licence fee: $15–$100
- 2-6 weeks estimated processing time
- No state franchise tax
⚠ Cons:
- Moderate complexity — standard multi-agency process
- Same TN two-tier license system as Nashville
👉 Bottom line: Business-friendly environment with straightforward permit process.
What You'll Pay
Upfront Costs
| Permit | Fee | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| EIN (federal tax ID) | Free | IRS |
| LLC filing | Varies by state | TN Secretary of State |
| Seller's permit | Varies | State tax agency |
| Business Tax License | $15–$100 | Division of Finance, Revenue Office |
General business total: $15–$100. Restaurant total: $50–$300.
Ongoing Costs
| Obligation | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Business Tax License renewal | $15–$100 | Annual (due December 31 (same TN two-tier system)) |
The Permit Stack
Step 1: Federal: EIN from IRS (free, instant online)
Step 2: State: LLC/Corp filing + seller's permit/sales tax registration
Step 3: County: health department permit + fire inspection
Step 4: City: business licence/tax certificate
Apply for city licence: memphistn.gov
By Business Type
Restaurant: City business licence + county health permit + fire inspection. Alcohol requires separate state/local liquor licence.
Food Truck: Mobile food vendor permit (city) + county health permit. Some cities limit permits.
Home Based: Home occupation permit. Zoning approval required. Often cheapest category.
Retail: Standard business licence. Lower complexity than food businesses.
Contractor: State contractor licence often required in addition to city licence.
Catering: County health permit + city business licence. Commercial kitchen requirement.
Temporary Food Vendor: Temporary food permit from county health department.
What Most People Miss
- Same TN two-tier license system as Nashville
- Shelby County separate from Memphis city
- No state income tax
- Beale Street entertainment district has specific requirements
- Tennessee has no state income tax on wages but requires business tax registration at the state level
Key Contacts
Division of Finance, Revenue Office
Phone: 901-636-6200
memphistn.gov
Timeline
Estimated total: 2-6 weeks from EIN to fully licensed, assuming no zoning issues or inspection delays.
Don't Guess — Get Your Roadmap
Every business type has different requirements. PermitBoard analyzes your specific business type against Memphis's actual requirements and gives you a step-by-step plan with fees, timelines, and direct links to every form.
Get My Permit Roadmap for Memphis →
Nearby Cities
Starting a business nearby? See our guides: