Taxes in Kingsport
Kingsport's property tax picture layers a rising City of Kingsport municipal rate on top of a Sullivan County rate that carries a real, disclosed conflict between sources -- plus Tennessee's zero state income tax and a combined sales tax cited between 9.5% and the state's 9.75% maximum.
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Learn moreThe City of Kingsport's own rate rose for FY2025-26
The Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved a new property tax rate for the Sullivan County portion of the city at $1.6773 per $100 of assessed value -- 33 cents above the Tennessee-certified base rate of $1.34, effective for FY2025-26 (beginning July 1, 2025). Kingsport also extends into a small portion of Hawkins County, which carries its own separate combined rate not independently resolved this pass. Property owners within Kingsport city limits pay both the applicable county rate and this Kingsport municipal rate; those in unincorporated Sullivan County pay only the county rate.
Sullivan County's own rate: a real, disclosed conflict
Sources genuinely disagree here. One reports the Sullivan County Commission holding its 2026-27 rate flat at $1.6129 per $100 of assessed value. A separate aggregator instead cites a Sullivan County "base rate" of approximately $2.07 per $100 -- a real, disclosed conflict not reconciled this research pass, possibly reflecting a different fiscal year or a general-fund-only vs. all-funds distinction. Sullivan County's countywide effective property tax rate is separately cited at 0.63%, with a median annual tax bill of $1,205 on a $190,800 home. One aggregator estimates the COMBINED Kingsport city + Sullivan County rate at roughly $2.70-$2.95 per $100 depending on the year cited -- confirm the current combined rate directly with the Sullivan County Trustee's office and City of Kingsport for a specific parcel.
Tennessee's zero state income tax, and a combined sales tax cited between 9.5% and the state maximum
Tennessee levies no tax on wages, salaries, or (since 2021) investment income at all (see the state record for the full phase-out history). Kingsport's combined sales tax is cited at 9.5% per Avalara's specific breakdown (7.00% state + 2.25% Sullivan County local option + 0.25% Kingsport city local option), though a separate, commonly cited figure places Kingsport (alongside Memphis, Murfreesboro, Cleveland, and Johnson City) among the small group of Tennessee cities at the state's 9.75% maximum -- both figures disclosed, since the true rate for a specific address may depend on the exact taxing jurisdiction (including the smaller Hawkins County portion of the city).
Tennessee's property tax relief program for qualifying homeowners
Tennessee's statewide Property Tax Relief program offers real relief for qualifying elderly (65+), disabled, and disabled-veteran homeowners, administered through the county trustee's office -- worth checking eligibility for given Kingsport's real FY2025-26 rate increase (see retiring for the fuller retiree-specific picture).
Key takeaways
- Kingsport's municipal rate (Sullivan County portion) rose to $1.6773 per $100 assessed value for FY2025-26, 33 cents above the TN-certified base rate.
- Sullivan County's own rate carries a real, disclosed conflict ($1.6129 vs. ~$2.07 per $100) -- confirm directly with the county trustee's office before budgeting.
- Sullivan County's countywide effective property tax rate is 0.63%, with a median annual bill of $1,205 on a $190,800 home; the estimated combined city+county rate for in-city Kingsport property runs roughly $2.70-$2.95 per $100.
- Tennessee's zero state income tax is offset by a combined sales tax cited at 9.5% (Avalara) to 9.75% (the statewide maximum, cited by a separate source) depending on the exact taxing jurisdiction.
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