> How do you even have a single member LLC that is a disregarded entity where the single entity is a corporation?
LLC stands for "limited liability company," not corporation [1]. When one says "corporation" in a legal sense, it is typically understood to exclude LLCs. (That said, LLCs can elect to be treated as corporations for tax purposes.)
I'm not an accountant/lawyer, but yeah my reading is if you're a sole proprietor, disregarded for IRS purposes (e.g. you use Schedule C)... then yeah you owe TN this tax.
FWIW, I don't live in TN, but I used to. And I've done sole prop LLC's in a couple states now so I looked into moving back to TN and found this info.
That is also how I read it, but I reached out to an accountant today and he said no. His response was:
> Since you are an LLC, and you are operating an active business, you will need to file a Franchise and Excise tax return, but you will be exempt from the Excise portion of the tax.
https://www.tn.gov/revenue/taxes/franchise---excise-tax.html