Tennessee Grocery Tax (2026)

Conditional: Groceries taxed at a reduced 4% state rate (plus local); repeal bills are pending.

ConditionalVerified Aug 27, 2026

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Official source: tn.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Grocery Tax in states bordering Tennessee

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

AlabamaConditional
Groceries taxed at a reduced 2% state rate (cut from 3% to 2% on Sept 1, 2025; a temporary state suspension ran May 1-June 30, 2026 and the 2% rate resumed July 1, 2026). Local city/county grocery taxes may still apply on top.
Verified Jul 12, 2026 · Source: revenue.alabama.gov · Full Alabama rule →
ArkansasConditional
State grocery tax eliminated Jan 1, 2026 (was 0.125%) — but local sales taxes still apply to food.
Verified Jul 13, 2026 · Source: governor.arkansas.gov · Full Arkansas rule →
GeorgiaPermitted
Eligible food (groceries) is exempt from the 4% Georgia state sales tax but stays subject to applicable local sales taxes — per the DOR food rate chart, "exempt food is subject to all applicable local taxes," so grocery bills still carry the county portion.
Verified Jul 6, 2026 · Source: dor.georgia.gov · Full Georgia rule →
KentuckyPermitted
Food and food ingredients for home consumption are exempt (KRS 139.485; definitions in effect since July 1, 2004). Not exempt: alcoholic beverages, tobacco, candy, dietary supplements, soft drinks, and prepared food (heated, retailer-combined, or sold with utensils). Bakery items sold without utensils are exempt; vending-machine food is taxable.
Verified Jul 12, 2026 · Source: revenue.ky.gov · Full Kentucky rule →
MississippiConditional
Groceries (SNAP-eligible food) taxed at a reduced 5% rate (cut from 7% on July 1, 2025); non-qualifying items remain at 7%. No further cut currently scheduled.
Verified Jul 2, 2026 · Source: dor.ms.gov · Full Mississippi rule →
MissouriConditional
Groceries taxed at a reduced 1.225% state rate (plus local); repeal bills are pending.
Verified Aug 27, 2026 · Source: dor.mo.gov · Full Missouri rule →
North CarolinaPermitted
Qualifying groceries are exempt from the state, transit, and general local sales tax, but a 2% local food tax applies.
Verified Jul 14, 2026 · Source: ncdor.gov · Full North Carolina rule →
VirginiaConditional
State grocery tax eliminated Jan 1, 2023 — but a 1% local option tax still applies to food statewide.
Verified Aug 27, 2026 · Source: tax.virginia.gov · Full Virginia rule →

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