Tennessee Voters to Decide on Property Tax Ban

State residents will head to the polls on November 3 to vote on a constitutional amendment regarding property taxation.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Taxes

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing a stylized, solid stone structure on rolling land, evoking Tennessee constitutional policy. — Tennessee voters will cast ballots on November 3, 2026, to decide Amendment 2, which proposes a constitutional prohibition on state-level property taxes. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should your state constitution permanently ban the government from levying new property taxes?

Tennessee voters will decide on Amendment 2 on November 3, 2026, which proposes adding a formal prohibition of state-level property taxes to the state constitution. The measure seeks to permanently ban the Legislature from imposing taxes on real, personal, or mixed property.

Why it matters

Supporters believe the amendment safeguards homeowners and businesses from potential future double taxation. Conversely, opponents argue the move limits the state's ability to balance tax burdens between individuals and corporate entities.

In August 2026, corporate taxes accounted for 4.4% of state revenue, while individuals and families contributed 95.6%. Local property tax rates currently range from $0.83 to $5.27 per $100 of assessed market value.

The players

Tennessee Legislature

The state's governing body that is prohibited from imposing state property taxes if the amendment is approved.

The details

Amendment 2 proposes adding text to Article II, section 28 of the Tennessee Constitution to codify the state's long-standing policy. Tennessee has not collected a state-level property tax since 1949, with collections currently handled exclusively by local city and county governments.

1949: The last year Tennessee collected a state property tax.
August 2026: Period for recorded state tax revenue distribution.
November 3, 2026: The date Tennessee voters will decide on Amendment 2.

Market Dynamics

This amendment follows the long-standing precedent set by Article II, section 28 of the Tennessee Constitution regarding tax limitations. The proposal aims to permanently lock in the state's historical departure from the property tax models used by many other jurisdictions.

The vote determines whether existing local tax collection methods remain the sole mechanism for property revenue. Residents should review how this affects the stability of state-level tax policies versus current local assessment models.

The takeaway

Voters should consider both the potential protection against double taxation and the limits placed on future fiscal adjustments. Understanding current local tax rates in your specific jurisdiction is essential for assessing the full scope of this measure.