Tennessee income tax in 2026
Tennessee is one of nine states that do not tax wages. You still pay federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare, but nothing extra to the state on your paycheck.
What to know about taxes in Tennessee
Tennessee does not tax wages, and it finished repealing its old tax on investment income in 2021. The trade-off is one of the highest combined sales tax rates in the country.
- Combined state and local sales tax often reaches 9.5% or more.
- Nashville has become a major destination for relocating workers.
Largest cities: Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga.
Take-home pay in Tennessee by salary
What common salaries look like after taxes in Tennessee for a single filer.
| Salary | Take-home / year | Per month | Bi-weekly | Tax rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $26,285 | $2,190 | $1,011 | 12.4% |
| $40,000 | $34,320 | $2,860 | $1,320 | 14.2% |
| $50,000 | $42,355 | $3,530 | $1,629 | 15.3% |
| $60,000 | $50,390 | $4,199 | $1,938 | 16.0% |
| $70,000 | $58,075 | $4,840 | $2,234 | 17.0% |
| $80,000 | $65,110 | $5,426 | $2,504 | 18.6% |
| $90,000 | $72,145 | $6,012 | $2,775 | 19.8% |
| $100,000 | $79,180 | $6,598 | $3,045 | 20.8% |
| $120,000 | $93,250 | $7,771 | $3,587 | 22.3% |
| $150,000 | $113,791 | $9,483 | $4,377 | 24.1% |
| $200,000 | $148,927 | $12,411 | $5,728 | 25.5% |
Where your taxes go
- Take-home pay$50,39084.0%
- Federal income tax$5,0208.4%
- Social Security$3,7206.2%
- Medicare$8701.5%
- Federal income tax ($5,020). Charged on $43,900 of taxable income after the standard deduction, with a top rate of 12% on your last dollar.
- Social Security ($3,720). Withheld at 6.2% on the first $184,500 of wages each year; your employer pays the same amount.
- Medicare ($870). Charged at 1.45% on every dollar you earn, with no wage cap.
- State income tax ($0). Tennessee does not tax wages.
How Tennessee compares with other states
Tennessee ranks #1 of 51 for take-home pay on $60,000, tied with 7 other states. The gap between the best state (Florida) and the worst (Oregon) is $4,401 a year.
Top 5, your state and bottom 5. Single filer, no pre-tax contributions.
How a 401(k) changes your paycheck
Because traditional 401(k) money is taken before income tax, part of every dollar you save is effectively paid by the tax you no longer owe.
| Contribution | Saved per year | Take-home pay | Per month | Income tax saved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| None | $0 | $50,390 | $4,199 | — |
| 3% | $1,800 | $48,806 | $4,067 | $216 |
| 6% | $3,600 | $47,222 | $3,935 | $432 |
| 10% | $6,000 | $45,110 | $3,759 | $720 |
| 15% | $9,000 | $42,470 | $3,539 | $1,080 |
Single vs married filing jointly
Here is the same salary for a single-income married couple filing jointly, compared with a single filer.
| Single | Married, one income | |
|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $5,020 | $2,840 |
| State income tax | $0 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare | $4,590 | $4,590 |
| Take-home pay | $50,390 | $52,570 |
Filing jointly would add $2,180 a year ($182 a month) to this household's take-home pay.
What this salary buys you
A simple way to plan $4,199 a month: half for essentials, 30% for lifestyle and 20% for savings.
- $60,000 is 89% of the median household income in Tennessee ($67,097).
- With the 30% rule, a comfortable rent is up to $1,500 per month.
- That is 4.0 times the Tennessee minimum wage of $7.25/hour.
Frequently asked questions
Does Tennessee have a state income tax?
No. Tennessee does not tax wages, so only federal taxes are withheld from your paycheck.
What is the income tax rate in Tennessee?
Tennessee has no state income tax on wages.
How much is $60,000 after tax in Tennessee?
A single filer earning $60,000 takes home about $50,390 a year, or $4,199 per month.
What is the minimum wage in Tennessee?
The minimum wage in Tennessee is about $7.25 per hour.
How is my Tennessee paycheck calculated?
We subtract federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%) from your gross pay.
Figures use 2026 IRS federal brackets, the standard deduction, Social Security and Medicare rates, and each state's income tax rules for a W-2 employee. Read our methodology. Last updated September 25, 2026. Estimates for information only, not tax advice.