Shipping Charges Taxable in Tennessee

According to the Tennessee Department of Revenue, Delivery charges are considered part of the sales price of an item if the seller charges the customer for the delivery. The state says that it doesn’t matter if the delivery charges are stated separately on the invoice, are included in the lump sum total, or what the terms of the shipping are.

On its website, the Tennessee DOR makes it clear that this statue supersedes the prior Sales and Use Tax Rule 1320-5-1-.71. That rule was replaced in 2008 when Tennessee became compliant with the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement, which makes shipping and delivery charges a part of the sales price.

Because the charges are considered part of the sale, retailers should always charge sales tax on delivery charges. 

Exception

The only exception to this rule is if the items sold are exempt from taxes — in that case, sellers should not charge sales tax on shipping