Does Tennessee charge sales tax on services?

by Sarah Craig April 25, 2023

The majority of U.S. states require merchants to charge sales tax on tangible personal property (TPP), otherwise known as physical goods. Many states also implement sales and use tax on digital goods and SaaS. Because the economy has shifted over time from a manufacturing economy to a service economy, states are now looking to generate revenue by taxing services.

Here’s what merchants need to know about taxing services in the state of Tennessee, which has a state sales tax rate of 7%.

Does Tennessee charge sales tax on services?

Services are generally not taxable in Tennessee, though there are exceptions:

Admissions to sporting events, musical and theatrical performances and other amusements; charges for country clubs, tennis clubs, golf courses; charges for entering or engaging in any kind of recreational activity; charges for using tangible personal property for amusements, sports, entertainment or recreational activities, including golf carts, tennis courts or bowling shoes. More information here.
Repair of tangible personal property (including computer software), including alterations, mending or correcting, work done to preserve or restore tangible personal property, refinishing, cleaning that is a necessary part of any repair work, service calls where any repair work is done or contemplates; changes in the size, shape or content
Installation of tangible personal property, including charges for installing tangible personal property that remains tangible personal property after installation
Installation of tangible personal property attached to real property but can be ordinarily removed (like window air conditioning units, curtain and drapery rods, gasoline pumps)
Installation of software on a computer located in Tennessee regardless of whether the installation is made along with the sale of tangible personal property or computer software
Lodging services and rooms
Short-term space rental for making sales
Cleaning of tangible personal property (including animal bathing)
Parking and storing of motor vehicles
Telecommunication services
Enriching of uranium materials
Bathing animals (but not grooming)

Please keep in mind that this is a guideline, and you should consult with a sales tax professional to determine if the services your business provides should be subject to state sales tax. For an in-depth look at Tennessee sales tax, TaxJar’s guide to sales tax in Tennessee and the Tennessee Department of Revenue has more details.