Tax Relief Available to April Storm Survivors

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Department of Revenue staff will be available at the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency's Disaster Recovery Centers this week to discuss tax relief available to Tennesseans affected by the severe weather from April 2 to 6.

The Department of Revenue’s natural disaster sales tax relief program is available to people who receive financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for repairing, replacing, or reconstructing their primary home that was damaged or destroyed during the storms.

A refund of up to $2,500 is available for Tennessee sales tax paid on eligible items, which include:

• major appliances purchased for $3,200 or less,
• residential furniture purchased for $3,200 or less, and
• residential building supplies purchased for $500 or less.

Individuals must apply and receive individual financial assistance from FEMA and wait until they have made all purchases before they file a claim for a refund. The Department of Revenue accepts one claim per household, and claims can be filed up to one year from the date on the FEMA decision letter. Visit the Department of Revenue’s website for more information on the refund program.

“We want to make storm survivors aware of our program, so that when they are ready to rebuild, they know this tax relief is available,” Revenue Commissioner David Gerregano said. “We encourage people to save their FEMA decision letter and store receipts, as those are required for the refund application.”

The Department of Revenue is responsible for administering state tax and motor vehicle title and registration laws and collecting taxes and fees associated with those laws. The department collects about 87 percent of the total state revenue. During the 2024 fiscal year, it collected $22.2 billion in state taxes and fees and more than $4.7 billion in taxes and fees for local governments.  To learn more about the department, visit www.tn.gov/revenue.

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