Tennessee · Property tax exemptions for surviving spouses · Updated Oct 2026
Tennessee property tax exemptions for surviving spouses (2026)
Every statewide property tax break in Tennessee that our guide lists for surviving spouses: breaks made for them, and breaks a surviving spouse can keep or claim. What each is worth, who qualifies, the deadline and how to apply.
Short answer
The main property tax break for surviving spouses in Tennessee is the Property Tax Relief for Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses. The state repays the property tax on up to $175,000 of your home's market value (2026).
- Worth
- See the rules
- Income limit
- None listed in our sources
- Deadline
- 35 days after the tax delinquency date; taxes must also be paid by then.
Property tax breaks for surviving spouses in Tennessee
Disabled veteransProperty Tax Relief for Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses
The state repays the property tax on up to $175,000 of your home's market value (2026). It is a reimbursement, not an exemption. No income limit.
For surviving spouses: Un-remarried surviving spouses of such veterans qualify, as do surviving spouses of service members whose death was service-connected and combat-related or occurred while deployed in support of combat or peace operations.
- Who qualifies
- You own your home and use it as your primary residence, and you have a service-connected permanent and total disability as determined by the VA; or 100% permanent total disability from serving as a prisoner of war; or a service-connected paraplegia, permanent paralysis of both legs and lower body, legal blindness, or loss or loss of use of two or more limbs. Un-remarried surviving spouses of such veterans qualify, as do surviving spouses of service members whose death was service-connected and combat-related or occurred while deployed in support of combat or peace operations.
- How to apply
- Apply through your county trustee or city collecting official. Veterans complete Form F-16 and surviving spouses Form F-16S (consent for the VA to release disability information). Surviving spouses also give the death certificate and a personal ID.
- Form
- Form F-16 (veteran) / F-16S (surviving spouse), from the county trustee
- Deadline
- 35 days after the tax delinquency date; taxes must also be paid by then. County taxes are generally delinquent March 1, so the deadline is usually around April 5 (Shelby County 2026 county taxes: April 5, 2027); city taxes can have a different date (City of Memphis: October 6, 2026).
- Renewal
- Every year by presenting the relief voucher with your bill.
- Law
- Tenn. Code Ann. 67-5-704
Source: official page
How to apply, step by step
- Apply through your county trustee or city collecting official.
- Veterans complete Form F-16 and surviving spouses Form F-16S (consent for the VA to release disability information).
- Surviving spouses also give the death certificate and a personal ID.
Form: Form F-16 (veteran) / F-16S (surviving spouse), from the county trustee
Deadline: 35 days after the tax delinquency date; taxes must also be paid by then. County taxes are generally delinquent March 1, so the deadline is usually around April 5 (Shelby County 2026 county taxes: April 5, 2027); city taxes can have a different date (City of Memphis: October 6, 2026).
Renewal: Every year by presenting the relief voucher with your bill.
Savings estimate for Tennessee
None of these breaks is one fixed dollar amount taken off your home's value, so we can't estimate the savings here. What each one is worth is on its card above.
Eligibility finder for Tennessee
Answer a few questions to see which property tax breaks may fit you. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.
Pre-set for surviving spouses: you own and live in the home and are a surviving spouse. Change any answer.
Document checklist for Tennessee
Pick the breaks you plan to apply for. You get a checklist of forms, documents, steps and deadlines to print or keep on your phone.
Questions about surviving spouses property tax breaks in Tennessee
Who qualifies for property tax breaks for surviving spouses in Tennessee?
Property Tax Relief for Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses: You own your home and use it as your primary residence, and you have a service-connected permanent and total disability as determined by the VA; or 100% permanent total disability from serving as a prisoner of war; or a service-connected paraplegia, permanent paralysis of both legs and lower body, legal blindness, or loss or loss of use of two or more limbs. Un-remarried surviving spouses of such veterans qualify, as do surviving spouses of service members whose death was service-connected and combat-related or occurred while deployed in support of combat or peace operations.
Is there an income limit for surviving spouses' property tax breaks in Tennessee?
Our sources list no income limit for any of these breaks.
When is the deadline for surviving spouses to apply in Tennessee?
Property Tax Relief for Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses: 35 days after the tax delinquency date; taxes must also be paid by then. County taxes are generally delinquent March 1, so the deadline is usually around April 5 (Shelby County 2026 county taxes: April 5, 2027); city taxes can have a different date (City of Memphis: October 6, 2026).
Do surviving spouses have to reapply every year in Tennessee?
Property Tax Relief for Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses: Every year by presenting the relief voucher with your bill.
Where do surviving spouses apply for property tax breaks in Tennessee?
Tennessee has no general homestead exemption. Its main breaks are state Property Tax Relief (a reimbursement run by the Comptroller's Tax Relief section) and a local-option Tax Freeze. For both, you apply through your county trustee or, for city taxes, your city collecting official. For the Property Tax Relief for Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses: Apply through your county trustee or city collecting official.
SourcesLast checked: Oct 2026.