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Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS)

Public Utility Property Tax

Reference Number: MTAS-1845
Reviewed Date: 11/22/2022

Revenue Class: Local Taxes

Fund: General

Account No.: 31120

Description: Taxes levied by the municipality on those corporations that provide public utilities (i.e., telephone, railroads, gas, airlines, etc.) and that are subject to government regulation.

Authorization: Article II, Section 28 of the Tennessee Constitution; T.C.A. § 67-5-101; T.C.A. § 67-5-801 et seq.; T.C.A. § 67-5-901 et seq.; T.C.A. § 67-5-1301 et seq.

Requirements or Restrictions: Reference T.C.A.

Current Rate: Assessment rate is 55 percent of the appraised value for public utility real property and tangible personal property; T.C.A. § 67-5-1302.

Frequency of Payment: Annually, between the first Monday in October and before the following March 1, unless the municipality is authorized to establish other due dates.

Late Pay Interest: The same interest listed in Property Tax, Account #31300, are applicable, but are assessed by the comptroller.

Exemptions: Does not apply to corporations organized under the laws of Tennessee whose principal business is the manufacture of products of the soil of Tennessee and who for the transportation alone of such products furnish their own cars.

Collection: The public utilities tax roll is established and maintained by the state. Complete tax roll and tax bills are mailed to the municipality each year, which in turn re-mails the tax bill to individual taxpayers.

Use Restrictions: None.