NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — As families across Tennessee have taken advantage of the state’s annual back-to-school sales tax holiday weekend, another conversation is quietly gaining momentum: why are Tennesseans still paying sales tax on groceries?

In Downtown Nashville, where sales tax relief on groceries is not included in the weekend holiday, shoppers like Brooke G. have taken a closer look at their receipts.

“$13.61, which is a lot,” G. said, reacting to the amount she paid in sales tax on a recent grocery bill.

Tennessee is one of just 13 states that charges a sales tax on groceries. As of publication, residents pay a 4% state tax on most food purchases, plus additional local taxes that can push the total sales tax to 7% or more.

“Way more than I expected, if I’m looking at it and being honest,” she added.

For others like Chaz Mazzota, the grocery tax came as a surprise.

“I’m not an economist — and honestly I didn’t know it existed until about 30 seconds ago,” Mazzota said.

In recent months, some residents and advocacy groups have called on state lawmakers to eliminate the tax entirely, arguing that it disproportionately impacts low-income families already struggling with high food prices.

In 2023, Governor Bill Lee approved a three-month grocery tax holiday aimed at easing inflation-related burdens, but efforts to make that relief permanent have largely stalled. During the legislative session, proposals from both Republicans and Democrats to end or reduce the grocery tax failed to move forward.

With grocery prices continuing to climb, more shoppers are starting to notice what they’re paying and questioning why.

“I do not know much about taxes at all,” Brooke said. “I swipe and move on with my life, but this is a lot more than I have ever noticed on my receipt before.”

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-news/tennessees-sales-tax-holiday-sparks-renewed-debate-over-grocery-tax/