Sullivan County car sales tax: 9.25% to 9.5%

The rate in Sullivan County

Vehicle sales tax in Sullivan County is not a single number — it runs from 9.25% to 9.5% depending on which city you register in. Most of the county is at 9.25%.
That is below the 9.75% most Tennessee counties charge — about $175.00 less tax on a $35,000 car than the typical county in the state.
20 other counties in Tennessee charge the same rate, out of 95.

Where the rate changes inside Sullivan County

9.5% — Kingsport, Blountville.
9.25% — Kingsport (outside city limits), Bristol, Piney Flats, Blountville (outside city limits), Bluff City, Fall Branch, Kingsport, Watauga.
This is why a county-wide figure is not enough here: two addresses in Sullivan County can carry different tax on the same car, and in 5 of its ZIP codes the boundary runs through the middle so the ZIP alone cannot settle it. The calculator asks you which side you are on.

What a $35,000 car actually costs in Sullivan County

Sales tax (7% state + 2.5% local on first $1,600 — Kingsport, Sullivan County) — $2,538.44
State single article tax (2.75% on $1,600 to $3,200) — $44.00
Doc fee (typical) — $692.00
Title fee — $14.00
Registration and plate — $26.50
County clerk fee — $2.50
Temporary tag (est.) — $8.50
Out the door — $38,325.94 on a $35,000 used car, before any down payment or financing.

ZIP codes in Sullivan County

37617, 37618, 37620, 37621, 37625, 37656, 37660, 37662, 37663, 37664, 37665, 37669, 37686, 37694, 37699.
Any of these resolves to Sullivan County in the calculator, at whichever of the county's rates applies to that ZIP.

Sullivan County against nearby counties

Loudon County is 9% — $87.50 LESS tax on a $35,000 car than Sullivan County.
Morgan County is 9% — $87.50 LESS tax on a $35,000 car than Sullivan County.
Montgomery County is 9.5% — $87.50 MORE tax on a $35,000 car than Sullivan County.
Roane County is 9.5% — $87.50 MORE tax on a $35,000 car than Sullivan County.
This follows where you REGISTER, not where the dealer is, so a lower rate nearby only helps if you actually live there. It is not something you can choose at the dealership.

Run your own numbers

Vehicle price

$

The negotiated or advertised price, before tax and registration.

Your ZIP code

Tax and registration follow where YOU register — not the dealership.

Dealer's ZIP code (optional)

A few states tax at the dealer's location instead of yours. If you know the dealer's ZIP, enter it for an exact tax.

Condition

New Used CPO

Fuel

EV/PHEV surcharges apply in many states.

More options — trade-in, rebates, doc fee, add-ons

Common questions

Why is the car sales tax different in parts of Sullivan County?

Cities inside the county can levy their own rate on top of the county and state rate, so the combined figure changes at the city line. In Sullivan County it ranges from 9.25% to 9.5%.