Does Tennessee have a tax-free weekend?
Quick answer
Yes. Tennessee runs a sales tax holiday: Back-to-school holiday on the last weekend of July. Qualifying purchases skip the full combined rate, which runs 9.25%–9.75% in covered Tennessee metros.
Holiday dates and qualifying item lists are set by statute and can change year to year. Tennessee Department of Revenue publishes the official list before each holiday, including per-item price caps and whether local jurisdictions must participate.
Rule summary
How Tennessee treats each category.
| Recurring holiday | Back-to-school holiday on the last weekend of July. |
|---|---|
| Normal combined rate | 9.25%–9.75% |
| Clothing exemption | None |
| Grocery exemption | Reduced rate (4% state) |
This page summarizes the general rule. Every state writes exceptions for specific products, and local jurisdictions can differ from the state treatment. Confirm your situation with the Tennessee Department of Revenue or a tax professional before relying on it for filing.
Combined rates in Tennessee
What a taxable purchase actually costs in Tennessee.
Frequently asked
Answers pulled from the same rule set.
- Does Tennessee have a tax-free weekend?
- Yes — Tennessee runs a sales tax holiday: Back-to-school holiday on the last weekend of July.
- Do local taxes still apply during a Tennessee sales tax holiday?
- It depends on the statute. Some states require every local jurisdiction to participate; others let cities opt out and keep charging their local share. Tennessee Department of Revenue publishes the participating jurisdictions each year.
More Tennessee guides
Other Tennessee rules that change the total.