by Amanda Curtis,

Staff Reporter

UPDATED: The Lewis County Herald received a call after press deadline on Tuesday evening in response to our inquiry regarding the delinquent notice of the effective date of the new rate of sales tax collection.

Kelly Cortesi, Communications Director for the State of Tennessee Department of Revenue, informed us that the State of Tennessee is now suspending the sales tax increase in Lewis County until December 1, 2022.

We appreciate their timely attention to this matter and their dedication to encouraging the local business owners who are investing in our community.

On November 14, the Lewis County Government sent out an announcement notifying the public of an increase in sales tax. This increase, voted on during the August 2022 State/Federal Primary and County General Election with 1288 in favor and 1240 against and only 246 refraining, is to help pay for the building of a new high school.

The local sales tax percentage has increased 0.25%, from 9.5% to 9.75%, as of November 1st, 2022. According to the notice issued by the County, “The State of Tennessee neglected to properly notify local businesses when this would take effect, and the county was recently made aware this has not yet taken place. The State of Tennessee will collect sales taxes from local businesses at this rate regardless of proper amount being collected from customers or not.”

According to the Tennessee Department of Revenue legal office representative I spoke with, our rate was submitted at the end of September. Once confirmed, the State submits to programming, then publishes an “Important Notice” on the department website, a written notice will be sent out, and it is then up to the county to notify the businesses.

As of press time, there had been no response from the state department regarding the delayed notice and their willingness to work with business owners on rectifying their neglect.

Updates will be published as received.