Knoxville wants to raise your sales tax 0.5% by referendum on the ballot in October and November. This is actually a 22% increase in the local part of the sales tax.
Join the Fight Against Higher Taxes!
Finally, You Have a Say on Taxes in November
Finally, You Have a Say on Taxes in November
All the facts on the Knoxville sales tax increase, in one quick read.
Regressive Tax
The sales tax is a regressive tax impacting lower income households disproportionately.
No Clear Plan, No Clear Future.
City Confession: This $47 million dollar tax grab doesn’t guarantee promised projects-goes into general fund.
Poor City Track Record
$11 Million swimming platform & luxury toilet. Shuttered Bridges. Alien Mushroom Art. Potholes… and so much more.
Vote Against the Sales Tax Increase
The City is engaged in a big revenue push with an insatiable appetite for your hard-earned dollar.
A Tax Increase Will Only Scale the Neglect
As the city of Knoxville looks to raise more revenue, critical needs like road repair, homeless issues, and essential infrastructure continue to be overlooked. Without careful planning and accountability, an increased tax simply fuels spending on visionary pet projects, like “bridges to nowhere,” while basics government obligations are ignored.
A Tax Increase Will Only Scale the Neglect
As the city of Knoxville looks to raise more revenue, critical needs like roads, homeless issues, and essential infrastructure continue to be overlooked. Without careful planning and accountability, an increased tax simply fuels spending on visionary pet projects while the basics fall further behind.
What are the public & candidates saying?
City Council Forum on June 16th 2025 overwhelmingly opposed the sales tax hike.
$47 Million
Additional Tax Per Year
“Wow! Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon never mentioned a citywide sales tax hike in her April budget message. She has now announced she wants a vote Nov. 4 when five new City Council members are also elected. She did not mention it at the recent council workshop either. This is a serious omission as it suggests this effort is a rush job…” – Victor Ashe
$1 Billion
Additional for New Sidewalks
“Why I Will Not Vote for the Local Option Sales Tax Proposal. The proposed tax increase was introduced abruptly and lacks critical details. There is no guarantee the funds will be spent as promised.” – Andrew Roberto City of Knoxville Councilman
22.22%
Revealed: This is actually a 22.22& increase in the local option sales tax (see FAQ’s below)
“The city needs to be more disciplined in looking at wanna dos and gotta dos, and it needs to be more business like in generating additional revenue while keeping the rate of taxation low, if not lower.” Jeff Talman – Knoxville City Council Candidate
Waste & Abuse
P.S.
Stop scrolling for a second.
This isn’t a drill.
Ever heard of the “½ cent trick”?
City leaders want you to think it’s nothing.
Truth: It’s a 22.22% increase in the local option sales tax.
Layer it on top of property tax hikes & hotel/motel taxes & 150 new red light & speed cameras.
Factor in event and nighttime parking surcharges replacing free street parking spaces.
Parking fees are now expanding.
Endless KUB rate hikes on water, and electricity.
A $700 million dollar KUB fiber expansion.
And annual KUB wastewater increases through 2027 (locked in).
An Estimated $60 million footbridge.
$30 million over budget at the public safety complex.
And you’re staring down a financial avalanche that could drain your wallet faster than you think.
Every day you wait, the cost of living climbs.
Every dollar you don’t fight for goes straight into the City’s track record of reckless spending.
If you don’t act now, you will pay, and pay big.
This November is your only chance to stop this.
Register to VOTE by Monday, October 6, 2025, and vote AGAINST the 22.22% tax increase.
P.P.S.
Are you seriously still scrolling?
Not convinced?
Here’s the jaw-dropping reality: the City will collect your money not to fully fix potholes…not to keep the Gay Street Bridge and infrastructure from failing…not to address real needs, but to fund million-dollar alien mushroom-like “art”.
And other “visionary” pet projects, while your streets crumble around you.
Picture this: potholes swallowing tires, bridges broken, essential services ignored.
And you’re footing the bill for their negligence.
The next decade of your life could cost thousands more if this passes.
Your vote in November is literally the last line of defense.
Register to vote.
Show up, and make them accountable. If you don’t, they will continue taking, spending, & ignoring you without consequence.
This is your emergency.
This is now.
Vote AGAINST on your ballot in November.
