As part of the state’s 2022-2023 budget, Tennesseans can expect that the state’s tax on food and “food related items” will not apply during the month of August.

“As Americans see their cost-of-living skyrocket amid historic inflation, suspending the grocery tax is the most effective way to provide direct relief to every Tennessean,” Governor Bill Lee said upon signing the budget bill. “Our state has the ability to put dollars back in the pockets of hardworking Tennesseans, and I thank members of the General Assembly for their continued partnership in maintaining our fiscally conservative approach.”

The tax holiday will save Tennesseans four percent on their grocery bills, the normal tax level on food.

Some items are excluded from the tax holiday, including food that is already prepared.

“Prepared food is subject to the general state sales and use tax rate of 7 percent, plus the applicable local tax rate,” according to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. “The law does not define prepared food as food or food ingredients, which are subject to a reduced state rate of 4 percent, plus the applicable local tax rate.”

According to the agency:

Food is considered prepared food if it meets any of the following qualifications:

• It is sold in a heated state or heated by the seller

• It contains two or more food ingredients mixed together by the seller for sale as a single item, or

• The vendor who sells it also provides eating utensils, such as plates, knives, forks

Soaring inflation has caused many Americans to pinch pennies in recent months.

U.S. congressmen from Tennessee have outspokenly criticized President Joe Biden’s administration for the runaway inflation.

“Inflation is taxation – especially when it’s being fueled by reckless spending. The Biden Administration inherited one of the strongest economic recoveries of my life. It took fewer than two years for them to mess it up.” Representative John Rose (R-TN-06) said this week.

That sentiment was echoed by Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN-02).

“Inflation is up 8.6% this month, and gas prices are up 106% from when President Biden took office. Americans know this is a result of the president’s reckless spending, and they aren’t buying his attempts to dodge the blame,” Burchett said.

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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]