Tennesseans may notice their grocery bills are a little less this month, as Gov Bill Lee announced Monday that the long-awaited suspension of tax on groceries went into effect state-wide. The governor first proposed the idea in March.
“As Americans see their cost-of-living skyrocket amid historic inflation, suspending the grocery tax is the most effective way to provide direct relief to every Tennessean,” Lee said at the time.
In a tweet Monday morning, Gov. Lee echoed the sentiment, writing, “This month, we’re taking a bite out of rising food costs w/ a 30-day grocery tax suspension to provide direct financial relief to Tennesseans.”
This month, we’re taking a bite out of rising food costs w/ a 30-day grocery tax suspension to provide direct financial relief to Tennesseans. Learn more about eligible items & how you can save by visiting https://t.co/SioiC0EAbc. pic.twitter.com/antf46A2V5
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) August 1, 2022
The state grocery tax being suspended is currently four percent, with local grocery taxes varying slightly.
During the 30-day period, all food and food ingredients are exempt from sales tax. Food and food ingredients are defined as liquid, concentrated, solid, frozen, dried, or dehydrated substances that are sold to be ingested or chewed by humans and are consumed for their taste or nutritional value, as outlined by the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Food and food ingredients do not include alcoholic beverages, tobacco, candy, or dietary supplements, however.
Food and food ingredients purchased from a micro-market or vending machine remain subject to sales tax, the Department of Revenue notes.
Another sales tax holiday that is currently taking place in the state is on gun safes and safety devices. The tax suspension began on July 1st and ends at 11:59 p.m. on June 30th, 2023. A “gun safe” is defined as a locking container or other enclosure equipped with a padlock, key lock, combination lock, or other locking device that is designed and intended for the secure storage of one or more firearms. A “gun safety device” is defined as any integral device to be equipped or installed on a firearm that permits the user to program the firearm to operate only for specified persons designated by the user through computerized locking devices or other means integral to and permanently part of the firearm.
– – –
Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
I’m disgusted with demorats AND Republicans!
This is insulting. They refused to do anything that would actually bring real relief to the average Joe. I heard all kinds of comments about doing away with the 12 cent a gallon tax on gasoline that was established under Beth Harwell”s oversight, but it was all talk and no do. I can always drive over to Kentucky and pay ZERO sales tax on all of my groceries every day of the year.
Now do a gas tax holiday for a month…or 2 months…or year!
Nope… can’t do that…. because it was first suggested by Democrats!! Besides, it would run afoul of the Tennessee state motto “Of the Roadbuilders, by the Roadbuilders, for the Roadbuilders”.
Uh, no it’s because of the Haslam family gas stations.