How Tennessee taxes paychecks
Because Tennessee has no state income tax on wages, it ranks among the lowest-tax states for paychecks: a single filer earning $75,000 keeps $61,593 a year, or $2,369 every two weeks.
Tennessee does not tax wage income at the state level. Your paycheck is reduced only by federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare.
Effective tax rates by income in Tennessee
Single filer, standard deduction, no pre-tax deductions. "State rate" is state tax divided by gross salary; "Total rate" includes federal income tax and FICA.
| Salary | State tax | State rate | Total rate | Take-home / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $0 | 0.0% | 12.4% | $26,285 |
| $50,000 | $0 | 0.0% | 15.3% | $42,355 |
| $75,000 | $0 | 0.0% | 17.9% | $61,593 |
| $100,000 | $0 | 0.0% | 20.8% | $79,180 |
| $150,000 | $0 | 0.0% | 24.1% | $113,791 |
| $250,000 | $0 | 0.0% | 26.7% | $183,182 |
Tennessee paycheck examples
What a typical salary looks like per bi-weekly paycheck, after all taxes.
| Salary | Federal | FICA | State | Bi-weekly | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $2,620 | $3,060 | $0 | $1,320.00 | $2,860 |
| $60,000 | $5,020 | $4,590 | $0 | $1,938.08 | $4,199 |
| $80,000 | $8,770 | $6,120 | $0 | $2,504.23 | $5,426 |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $7,650 | $0 | $3,045.38 | $6,598 |
| $120,000 | $17,570 | $9,180 | $0 | $3,586.54 | $7,771 |
Paid hourly? $25 an hour is about $43,962 a year after taxes in Tennessee.
Tennessee vs. neighboring states
At $75,000, Tennessee leaves you more take-home pay than every neighboring state listed below. Cross-border commuters should note that wages are generally taxed where you work and credited where you live; reciprocity agreements vary by state.
| State | State tax on $75k | Take-home on $75k | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | $0 | $61,593 | — |
| Kentucky | $2,507 | $59,085 | -$2,507 |
| Virginia | $3,498 | $58,094 | -$3,498 |
| North Carolina | $2,484 | $59,109 | -$2,484 |
| Georgia | $2,994 | $58,599 | -$2,994 |
| Alabama | $3,510 | $58,083 | -$3,510 |
| Mississippi | $2,268 | $59,325 | -$2,268 |
| Arkansas | $2,287 | $59,305 | -$2,287 |
| Missouri | $2,588 | $59,005 | -$2,588 |
Sources & review
- Tennessee rates and deductions: Tennessee tax authority publication (tax year 2026, status: cross-checked)
- Federal brackets & standard deduction: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32
- Social Security wage base: SSA
Reviewed November 4, 2026 · How we calculate
Frequently asked questions
How much is $60,000 a year after taxes in Tennessee?
A single filer earning $60,000 in Tennessee takes home about $50,390 per year in 2026, or $1,938 per bi-weekly paycheck ($4,199 per month).
Does Tennessee have a state income tax?
Tennessee does not tax wage income at the state level. Your paycheck is reduced only by federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare.
What is the effective tax rate on $100,000 in Tennessee?
On a $100,000 salary (single, standard deduction) total taxes are about $20,820, an effective rate of 20.8%. None of that is state income tax.
How do 401(k) contributions change my Tennessee paycheck?
Traditional 401(k) contributions are subtracted before federal income tax, so each $1 you contribute costs less than $1 in take-home pay. Social Security and Medicare still apply. Open “Advanced options” in the calculator to model it.
What are the 2026 FICA rates?
Social Security is 6.2% on wages up to $184,500 and Medicare is 1.45%, plus 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax withheld on wages above $200,000.