Tennessee paycheck taxes at a glance (2026)
| State income tax | None |
|---|---|
| State payroll taxes | None paid by employees |
| Local income taxes | None |
| Federal (every state) | 2026 brackets from 10% to 37%; Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500; Medicare 1.45%, plus 0.9% on wages over $200,000 |
| Sales tax | 9.61% average combined rate — Tennessee sales tax calculator |
How Tennessee taxes your paycheck
Tennessee has no individual income tax, so there is no state income tax withholding and no state withholding certificate to fill out. Federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare still apply as they do everywhere: on the $65,000 example they take 16.3% of gross pay.
Worked example: $65,000 salary in Tennessee
A single filer paid every two weeks (26 paychecks), with no 401(k) or health deductions — the calculator's starting values:
| Line | Per paycheck | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $2,500.00 | $65,000.00 |
| Federal income tax | −$216.15 | −$5,620.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | −$155.00 | −$4,030.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | −$36.25 | −$942.50 |
| Tennessee income tax | −$0.00 | −$0.00 |
| Take-home pay | $2,092.60 | $54,407.50 |
Federal: $65,000 − $16,100 standard deduction = $48,900 taxable, which the 2026 single brackets tax at $5,620.00.
Tennessee: no state income tax on wages, so $0.
All taxes together take 16.3% of gross pay, leaving $54,407.50.
Take-home pay at other salaries in Tennessee
| Salary | Single, per year | Single, biweekly | TN income tax | Total tax rate | Married jointly, per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $34,320 | $1,320.00 | $0 | 14.2% | $36,160 |
| $50,000 | $42,355 | $1,629.04 | $0 | 15.3% | $44,395 |
| $65,000 | $54,408 | $2,092.60 | $0 | 16.3% | $56,588 |
| $80,000 | $65,110 | $2,504.23 | $0 | 18.6% | $68,640 |
| $100,000 | $79,180 | $3,045.38 | $0 | 20.8% | $84,710 |
| $150,000 | $113,791 | $4,376.58 | $0 | 24.1% | $123,185 |
Standard deduction only, with no pre-tax deductions or dependents and no local tax. The total tax rate (single) includes federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state income tax and state payroll contributions.
Tennessee compared with nearby states
On a $65,000 salary (single, biweekly), Tennessee ranks 1 (tied with 7 others) of 51 for take-home pay, where 1 keeps the most. Virginia, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Missouri, Arkansas and Mississippi would leave less.
Local income taxes are left out, except Maryland's county tax, which every resident pays (3.20% used here).
| State | State & county income tax | State payroll taxes | Take-home per year | vs. Tennessee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | $0 | $0 | $54,408 | — |
| Kentucky | $2,157 | $0 | $52,250 | −$2,157 |
| Virginia | $2,923 | $0 | $51,484 | −$2,923 |
| North Carolina | $2,085 | $0 | $52,323 | −$2,085 |
| Georgia | $2,495 | $0 | $51,913 | −$2,495 |
| Alabama | $2,729 | $0 | $51,679 | −$2,729 |
| Mississippi | $1,868 | $0 | $52,540 | −$1,868 |
| Arkansas | $1,917 | $0 | $52,490 | −$1,917 |
| Missouri | $2,078 | $0 | $52,329 | −$2,078 |
Good to know about Tennessee paychecks
- Tennessee relies on sales tax instead of an income tax: its 7% state rate plus local taxes averages 9.61%, the second-highest combined rate.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $65,000 a year after taxes in Tennessee?
About $54,408 a year, or $2,092.60 per biweekly paycheck, for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions in 2026. That is after $5,620 of federal income tax and $4,973 of Social Security and Medicare. A married couple filing jointly on the same salary keeps about $56,588.
Does Tennessee have a state income tax?
No. Tennessee never taxed wages, and its Hall tax on interest and dividends was fully repealed starting with 2021. Employers withhold only federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare.
What else is taken out of a paycheck in Tennessee?
Nothing else statewide: Tennessee has no employee-paid disability, paid-leave or unemployment payroll tax, so the other deductions are federal taxes and whatever you elect, such as retirement savings or health premiums.
Do cities or counties in Tennessee tax wages?
No. Local governments in Tennessee do not tax employees' wages, so the state-level estimate is complete apart from your own deductions.
Is take-home pay higher in Tennessee or nearby states?
On a $65,000 single salary, Tennessee ranks 1 (tied with 7 others) of 51 for take-home pay at $54,408. None of its neighbors leaves more, while Virginia ($51,484), Alabama ($51,679) and Georgia ($51,913) leave less.
Estimates only — not tax advice. Actual withholding depends on your federal Form W-4, any Tennessee withholding certificate, pre-tax benefits and year-to-date wages. Tennessee income tax figures: Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026 (as of Jan. 1, 2026). Payroll contributions: sources listed above. Checked October 2026.