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Tennessee sales tax Calculator

Tennessee has one of the highest combined sales tax rates in the United States — a 7% state rate on most goods (with a higher 9.75% on food and food ingredients from grocery stores being replaced by a reduced rate) plus local additions that push most Tennessee shoppers to a combined rate of 9.25% to 9.75%.

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Rates updated for May 2026

This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional for your specific situation. Rates last verified May 2026.

Verify rates on May 2026

How it's calculated

Price × 0.0925 = sales tax owed (Nashville / Davidson County example)
1

Start with the purchase price: $20,000.00

2

Multiply by the combined tax rate to get the tax amount: $1,850.00

3

Add tax to the purchase price for the total amount due: $21,850.00

Tennessee sales tax rates by county

LocationCombined rate
Shelby County (Memphis)9.75%
Davidson County (Nashville)9.25%
Knox County (Knoxville)9.25%
Hamilton County (Chattanooga)9.25%
Rutherford County (Murfreesboro)9.25%
Williamson County (Franklin)9.25%
Madison County (Jackson)9.75%
Sullivan County (Kingsport)9.25%

Common examples in Tennessee

Based on county rates shown above. Select your county in the calculator for a precise result.

Used car purchase

$12,000.00 purchase

$1,110.00

tax owed

New car purchase

$28,000.00 purchase

$2,590.00

tax owed

Electronics (laptop)

$1,000.00 purchase

$92.50

tax owed

Home appliance

$600.00 purchase

$55.50

tax owed

Tennessee tax-free weekends

Shop during these periods and pay no sales tax on qualifying items.

Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday

Last Friday–Sunday of July (3 days)

Clothing $100 or less per item, school supplies $100 or less per item, computers $1,500 or less

Firearms Sales Tax Holiday

Second weekend of September (Fri–Sun)

Handguns, long guns, and ammunition — no price cap

Frequently asked questions

What is the sales tax rate in Tennessee?
Tennessee's state sales tax rate is 7% on most goods and 4% on food and food ingredients. Local counties add between 1.5% and 2.75%, bringing most combined rates to 9.25%–9.75%. Tennessee consistently ranks among the top 3 states for highest combined sales tax rates in the US.
What is the sales tax rate in Nashville, Tennessee?
Nashville is in Davidson County, which has a combined sales tax rate of 9.25% — the 7% state rate plus a 2.25% Davidson County local rate. This applies to most retail purchases within Nashville and the surrounding Metro area.
Does Tennessee have a sales tax holiday in 2026?
Yes. Tennessee holds an annual back-to-school sales tax holiday on the last Friday through Sunday of July. Qualifying items include clothing at $100 or less per item, school supplies at $100 or less, and computers at $1,500 or less. Tennessee also holds a firearms holiday in September.
Is there sales tax on groceries in Tennessee?
Yes, but at a reduced rate. Tennessee taxes food and food ingredients at 4% at the state level instead of the standard 7%. Local taxes still apply on top, so the effective rate on groceries is typically around 5.5%–6.75% depending on the county — still one of the higher grocery tax rates nationally.
What is the sales tax in Memphis, Tennessee?
Memphis is in Shelby County, which has the highest combined sales tax rate in Tennessee at 9.75% — the 7% state rate plus a 2.75% Shelby County addition. This applies to most retail purchases made within Memphis city limits.
Do you pay sales tax on a used car in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee charges sales tax on used vehicle purchases at the combined local rate. The standard 7% state rate applies plus the applicable county local rate, typically resulting in a 9.25%–9.75% total tax on the purchase price.

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