FAE172: Estimated Tax Payments (Revision 2025-09)
Tennessee · Tennessee DOR · Used for tax years 2025
Form FAE172 is Tennessee’s Quarterly Franchise, Excise Tax Declaration. It includes a worksheet for estimated tax liability, credits and prior-year overpayments, plus vouchers for quarterly payments.
Who files this form
You must make four quarterly estimated payments if both of these apply:
- You expect your combined Tennessee franchise and excise tax liability to be $5,000 or more for the current tax year.
- Your combined franchise and excise tax liability was $5,000 or more for the prior tax year.
If the prior tax year was a short period, annualize that year's tax when applying this rule. The form says qualifying taxpayers must file a declaration and make quarterly payments, but the paper form is not required when paying through TNTAP.
When it's due
For the 2025 tax year, the form gives these payment deadlines based on your taxable year:
- First payment: 15th day of the fourth month of the current taxable year.
- Second payment: 15th day of the sixth month of the current taxable year.
- Third payment: 15th day of the ninth month of the current taxable year.
- Fourth payment: 15th day of the first month of the following taxable year.
What you'll need
Have these details ready to complete the form and worksheet:
- Tax year beginning and ending dates.
- Account number, FEIN, legal name, and mailing address.
- Estimated franchise and excise tax liability.
- Franchise and excise tax credits and prior-year overpayments.
- Prior-year tax liability for the required-payment calculation, annualized if that tax period was less than 12 months.
If paying by check, include the corresponding prenumbered voucher. The paper form is not required for a TNTAP payment.
How to file
Online: Make your payment through TNTAP at tntap.tn.gov/eservices. You do not need this paper form to pay through TNTAP.
By mail: Send your check with the corresponding prenumbered voucher to:
Tennessee Department of Revenue
Andrew Jackson State Office Building
500 Deaderick Street
Nashville, TN 37242
For the worksheet, round to the nearest dollar. Subtract Line 2, tax credits and prior-year overpayments, from Line 1, estimated tax liability, to get Line 3. Line 4 is one-fourth of Line 3. Enter Line 4 in the voucher's “Amount of Payment” field.
Keep the upper portion for your records and return the voucher. If Line 4 is zero, do not file the voucher.
Common mistakes
- Skipping the instructions: Read the instructions on the reverse side before preparing the worksheet.
- Sending a check without its voucher: Check payments must include the corresponding prenumbered voucher.
- Entering the wrong payment amount: Copy the amount from worksheet Line 4 to the voucher's “Amount of Payment” field.
- Filing a zero-payment voucher: Do not file the voucher if worksheet Line 4 is zero.
Questions people ask
How much is each required quarterly payment?
Each required quarterly payment must equal the lesser of 25% of 100% of the prior year's tax liability or 25% of 80% of the projected current year's tax liability. Annualize the prior-year liability if that tax period was less than 12 months.
What happens if a payment is late or too small?
A late or underpaid installment is subject to a penalty of 2% per month, up to 24%, plus interest at the current annual rate. Penalty and interest run from the installment's due date to the date paid or the 15th day of the fourth month after the taxable year ends, whichever is earlier.
What if my account number is missing or unknown?
The voucher says to enter your federal identification number, FEIN or SSN, if your account number is not preprinted or is unknown.
Where can I get help?
Call the Tennessee Department of Revenue at 1-800-342-1003, toll-free in Tennessee, or (615) 253-0600.