Tennessee Sales Tax

On this page you will find handy sales and use tax information about Tennessee.

How to use this page:

We’ve pulled in the information from all our Charts for a consolidated view by state.  Here you can see the sales tax rates and if the state has remote seller nexus rules. You can also see any sales tax holidays or amnesty programs that may exist, though these do not apply to all states.

Below the chart you can find any News & Tip item we have published that relates to Tennessee that you can filter by topic. This will help you get informed on current and past legislation that has passed in the state.

State Rate

7.000% The state has reduced rates for sales of certain types of items.

Range of Local Rates

1.5% – 2.75%  A cap on the local sales/use tax applies on sales of any item of tangible personal property.

Local Rates Apply to Use Tax

Yes

CLICK-THROUGH NEXUS

7/1/2015

AFFILIATE NEXUS

1/1/2014

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

3/26/2012

ECONOMIC NEXUS

10/1/2019

MARKETPLACE NEXUS

10/1/2020

Annual Back to School Holiday

July 26-28, 2024

1. Clothing with a sales price of $100 or less
2. School supplies with a sales price of $100 or less
3. Computers with a sales price of $1500 or less

Visit the Tennessee Department of Revenue web page for more information.

Status

Active

Amnesty Filing Dates

October 1, 2005 - 12 months after becoming full member of SST

Go to Tennessee Amnesty Page
AMNESTY INCLUSION PERIODS

All periods prior to date of amnesty application.

TAX TYPES AND CONDITIONS

Business Sales and Seller’s Use Tax under SSTP Program if register under SSTP.

AMNESTY BENEFITS

Waiver of all tax, penalty and interest.

Administration Information
Streamlined Sales Tax Status

Associate Member

NUMBER OF TAXING AUTHORITIES

126 Sales Tax Jurisdictions

HOME RULE AUTHORITIES

N/A

Sales Tax Sourcing (Intrastate)

Origin

Sales Tax Return Due Date

The 20th of the month following the reporting period

Exemption Information
RESALE CERTIFICATE

Tennessee Resale Certificate

TYPES OF EXEMPTIONS

Product types of exemptions: manufacturing, agricultural, resale, gasoline, textbooks, school meals, numerous health care products

 

Entity types of exemptions: purchases by government entities and non-profit organizations

 

Tennessee Exemption Certificate Forms

State Links
History & Fun Facts
HISTORY

  • Tennessee enacted its retail sales and use tax in 1947.
  • Tennessee amended its laws to become an Associate Member State with the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement in 2003, 2005, and 2007. An Associate Member State is one that has achieved substantial compliance with the terms of the SSUTA but not necessarily each provision required.

FUN FACTS
  • In 2005, Tennessee began collecting tax revenue from a so called “crack tax” on illegal substances that drug dealers can report without fear of prosecution and raked in over a million dollars. The Tennessee Court of Appeals ruled it unconstitutional in 2007.

U.S. Supreme Court Issues Decision In South Dakota v. Wayfair

On June 21, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in the South Dakota v. Wayfair case, ruling in favor of South Dakota and overturning Quill’s physical presence rule.

South Dakota v. Wayfair Analysis & Predictions: Sales Tax Experts Weigh-In

Sales tax experts lend their insight into and predictions for one of the most important U.S. Supreme Court decisions regarding sales tax in decades, South Dakota v. Wayfair.

Separate Exemption Certificates Required for Multiple Locations in Tennessee

Manufacturers who wish to purchase electricity at a reduced rate or exempt from Tennessee sales and use tax must present a certificate of exemption for each manufacturing location.

Multistate Tax Commission Updates Its Uniform Sales & Use Tax Exemption Certificate

The Multistate Tax Commission (MTC) revised its Multijurisdictional Uniform Sales & Use Tax Exemption/Resale Certificate on January 22, 2018 to reflect two state changes.

Record Number of Sellers Participate in 2017 MTC Amnesty Program

The volume of applicants for the 2017 online marketplace seller tax amnesty program overwhelmed the Multistate Tax Commission.

Multistate Tax Commission Announces Tax Amnesty Program for Online Sellers

The MTC organized a tax amnesty program for online sellers, running from August 17 to November 1, 2017. The voluntary disclosure program allowed sellers to start remitting sales tax on future sales without penalty or liability for unpaid, prior accumulated sales tax in 25 participating states.

No Regulation Without Representation Act of 2017 Introduced

Under the proposed House bill, a state may tax or regulate a person’s activity in interstate commerce only when the person is physically present in the state during the period in which the tax or regulation is imposed.

Tennessee Delays Start Date for Streamlined Sales Tax Compliance

Tennessee delayed the start date of the full implementation the Streamlined Sales and use Tax Agreement, with sales and use tax provisions set to take effect July 1, 2019.

Tennessee Reduces Tax Rate on Food and Food Ingredients

Rent Effectively July 1, 2017, Tennessee will reduce the state sales and use tax rate on food and food ingredients, applicable local sales and use tax rates also apply to these sales.

Tennessee Authorizes Local Option Transit Surcharge

Effective April 26, 2017, Tennessee enacted legislation authorizing local governments to levy a local option transit surcharge on multiple local privilege taxes.

Report Fees Paid to Third-Party Software Provider Taxable in Tennessee

A taxpayer that provides transcription services to clients is subject to Tennessee sales and use tax on report fees paid to a third-party software provider.

Congress Introduces Marketplace Fairness Act of 2017 and Remote Transactions Parity Act of 2017

Introduced on April 27, 2017, the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2017, if enacted, would authorize states meeting certain requirements to require remote sellers that do not meet a small seller exception to collect their state and local sales and use taxes.

Online Sales Simplification Act of 2016 Discussion Draft is Introduced

The proposed legislation would implement a “hybrid origin” approach for remote sales. States could impose sales tax on remote sales if the origin state participates in a clearinghouse.

No Regulation Without Representation Act of 2016 Introduced

Taking the opposite approach of the Marketplace Fairness Act and Remote Transactions Parity Act, the proposed bill would limit the ability of states to require remote sellers to collect use tax. However, the bill failed to pass.

Access Charges for Online Solution Taxable as Remotely Accessed Software in Tennessee

Access charges for an online solution are taxable as remotely accessed software in Tennessee as of 07/01/15. More…

Congress Approves Permanent Extension of Internet Tax Freedom Act

Congress approved a permanent extension of the Internet Tax Freedom Act, signed into law by the President 02/24/16. More…

Internet Tax Freedom Act Extended Through October 1, 2016

The President signed an act to extend the Internet Tax Freedom Act through 10/01/16. More…

Short-Term Home Rentals Made Through Rental Websites Taxable in Tennessee

Individuals using rental websites to rent their homes on a short-term basis must collect and remit Tennessee sales tax. More…

Internet Tax Freedom Act Extended Until December 11, 2015

U.S. House of Representatives passed a provision to extend the Internet Tax Freedom Act until 12/11/15. More…

House Introduces Remote Transactions Parity Act of 2015

U.S. House of Representatives introduced the Remote Transactions Parity Act of 2015 on 06/15/15. More…

Tennessee Enacts New Software Exemption

Tennessee enacted a new software exemption, effective 07/01/15. More…

Tennessee Enacts Click-Through Nexus Legislation

Tennessee enacted legislation that adds a sales and use tax click-through nexus provision, effective 07/01/15. More…

Tennessee Delays SST Conformity Provisions

Tennessee delayed the effective date of certain Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement conformity provisions until 07/01/17. More…

Tennessee Expands Industrial Machinery Exemption to Include Water and Wastewater Treatment

Tennessee expanded its sales and use tax exemption for industrial machinery, effective 07/01/15. More…