Tennessee Department of Revenue explains how homeowners, renters can claim sales-tax refunds after natural disasters

Billy Trout, manager of the Department of Revenue’s taxpayer services education section, opened a Sept. 30, 2025 webinar introducing a step-by-step guide to Tennessee’s natural-disaster sales-tax refund program.

Katie, a presenter with the Department’s Taxpayer Services unit, said the program allows "a refund of the sales tax that has been paid on things like appliances, furniture, [and] building supplies" for Tennessee residents who received FEMA financial assistance for repair, replacement or construction of a primary residence damaged by a declared natural disaster. She noted the guidance presented was current as of 09/30/2025 and pointed participants to a PDF of the slides and the department’s webinar library.

Why it matters: The refunds reduce out-of-pocket costs for households rebuilding after disasters. Katie told attendees that approximately $730,000,000 in natural-disaster relief funding passed in 2025, underscoring state-level support for affected residents.

Who qualifies and the cap: The department said eligible claimants are Tennessee residents who received FEMA assistance tied…