TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Barry Kolar on Apr 1, 2022

A reduction in the state’s professional privilege tax on attorneys is part of Gov. Bill Lee’s budget plan released this week. Paired with a grocery sales tax holiday, the reduction would cut the annual tax lawyers pay from $400 to $300, Knox News reports. Eliminating the tax has been a top legislative priority for the Tennessee Bar Association and seven other professional groups, who argue the 200,000 people working as lawyers, doctors, lobbyists, investment advisors and stockbrokers are unfairly singled out by the tax. “It is very discriminatory in who it reaches,” Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, says of the tax, which he favors eliminating either all at once or over a period of time. House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, said he also favors the cuts. While the General Assembly considers these and other cuts, the TBA is continuing efforts to have the tax completely eliminated.