Nashville property taxes have skyrocketed. The 2024 reappraisal increased Davidson County home values by a median of 45%, and many homeowners are now paying significantly more than they should. The good news? There are several legitimate ways to lower your property tax bill.
This guide covers 5 proven methods Nashville homeowners can use to reduce their property taxes in 2026, from appealing your assessment to programs that freeze or reimburse your taxes entirely.
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Key Deadlines for 2026
Don't miss your window. Property tax relief programs have strict deadlines:
- Property Tax Relief/Freeze Applications: April 4-5, 2026
- Informal Review (Assessment Appeals): January 19 - April 30, 2026
1 Appeal Your Property Assessment Most Effective
The single most effective way to lower your Nashville property taxes is to appeal your property assessment. If your home is valued higher than it should be, you're paying more taxes than necessary.
Here's why this works: Nashville calculates your property tax based on your home's assessed value. If you can prove your home is worth less than the county thinks, your assessment goes down and so does your tax bill.
Who Should Appeal?
- Your assessment increased significantly in the 2024 reappraisal
- Similar homes in your area have sold for less than your assessed value
- Your home has condition issues the assessor may not know about
- There are errors in your property record (wrong square footage, etc.)
How It Works
You submit evidence to the Metro Nashville Property Assessor showing that your property should be valued lower. The best evidence is comparable sales: similar homes that sold recently for less than your assessed value.
Deadline: January 19 - April 30, 2026 (informal review window)
Where to file: padctn.org or in person at 700 President Ronald Reagan Way, Nashville, TN 37210
How Much Can You Save?
In Davidson County, for every $10,000 reduction in your home's appraised value, you save approximately $70/year in property taxes (Urban Services District rate).
Based on USD tax rate of $2.814 per $100 assessed value. Residential property is assessed at 25% of appraised value.
2 Apply for the Property Tax Freeze (Age 65+) Deadline: April 5
If you're 65 or older, the Property Tax Freeze program can lock in your property taxes at their current amount—forever. Even if property values increase or tax rates go up, your tax bill stays the same.
Eligibility Requirements
- Age: 65 or older by December 31, 2025
- Ownership: Own and occupy the home as your primary residence
- Income limit: Combined household income of $61,920 or less (2024 income)
How to Apply
Contact the Metro Nashville Trustee's Office to obtain an application.
Deadline: April 5, 2026
Phone: (615) 862-6330
Address: 700 President Ronald Reagan Way, Nashville, TN 37210
Good News for 2026
The income limit was raised to $61,920 (up from $47,750 last year), meaning more homeowners now qualify.
3 Apply for Property Tax Relief (State Reimbursement) Deadline: April 4
The Property Tax Relief Program is a state-funded program that reimburses qualifying homeowners for part or all of the property taxes they pay. Unlike the Tax Freeze, this program provides actual money back.
Who Qualifies?
- Elderly homeowners: Age 65+ by December 31, 2025
- Disabled homeowners: Disabled as determined by Social Security or other qualifying agency
- Disabled veterans: And surviving spouses of eligible veterans
Income Requirement
Combined household income must be $37,530 or less (2024 income).
How It Works
You pay your property taxes as normal. Then the State of Tennessee reimburses you for part or all of what you paid. This is not an exemption—you still receive your tax bill and must pay it.
Deadline: April 4, 2026
Where to apply: Metro Nashville Trustee's Office, (615) 862-6330
Can I Get Both?
Yes! If you qualify for both the Tax Freeze and Tax Relief programs, you can apply for both. The Tax Freeze locks in your amount, and Tax Relief reimburses you for what you pay.
4 Check Your Property Record for Errors
Sometimes the easiest way to lower your property taxes is to correct mistakes in your property record. The county assesses your home based on data in their system—if that data is wrong, you could be overpaying.
Common Errors to Look For
- Wrong square footage: Is your home listed as larger than it actually is?
- Incorrect bedroom/bathroom count: Extra rooms mean higher value
- Features you don't have: Listed as having a pool, basement, or garage you don't have?
- Wrong lot size: Is your land area correct?
- Incorrect year built: Older homes are typically valued lower
How to Check Your Property Record
- Go to padctn.org
- Search for your property by address
- Review the "Property Details" section
- Compare to your actual home
If you find errors, you can request a correction through an informal review or by contacting the Assessor's office directly.
5 Understand Your Tax Bill (So You Know What to Challenge)
Understanding how Nashville calculates your property tax helps you identify where you might be overpaying and what you can challenge.
The Nashville Property Tax Formula
Your property tax is calculated as:
Property Tax = (Appraised Value × 25%) × Tax Rate
Breaking It Down
- Appraised Value: What the county thinks your home is worth (this is what you can appeal)
- Assessment Ratio: 25% for residential property in Tennessee
- Assessed Value: Your appraised value × 25%
- Tax Rate: $2.814 per $100 of assessed value (USD) or $2.922 (GSD)
Example Calculation
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Appraised Value | $500,000 |
| Assessment Ratio | × 25% |
| Assessed Value | $125,000 |
| Tax Rate (USD) | × 2.814% |
| Annual Property Tax | $3,518 |
What's the Difference Between GSD and USD?
USD (Urban Services District) covers most of Nashville and includes services like garbage pickup, street lights, and sidewalks. GSD (General Services District) is for areas outside the urban core that don't receive these services. USD has a higher tax rate.
Which Option Is Right for You?
| Method | Best For | Deadline | Savings Potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appeal Assessment | Everyone (no restrictions) | April 30, 2026 | Varies (can be $hundreds/year) |
| Tax Freeze | Age 65+, income <$61,920 | April 5, 2026 | Locks in current amount |
| Tax Relief | Elderly/disabled/veterans, income <$37,530 | April 4, 2026 | Full or partial reimbursement |
| Fix Errors | Anyone with incorrect property data | Anytime | Depends on error |
Not Sure Where to Start?
I want to lower my assessment Get a free evaluation to see if your home is over-assessed I'm 65 or older You may qualify for the Tax Freeze program I'm disabled or a veteran You may qualify for Tax Relief reimbursement I think there's an error in my property record Learn how to check and correct mistakesNot Sure If Your Home Is Over-Assessed?
Get a free evaluation from TN.tax. We'll analyze your property against recent sales data and tell you if an appeal makes sense. If we can help, we handle everything—and you pay nothing unless we lower your taxes.
Check My Property FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Can I lower my Nashville property taxes?
Yes. Nashville homeowners can lower their property taxes by appealing their assessment, applying for the Property Tax Freeze (age 65+), applying for Property Tax Relief programs, or correcting errors in their property record. The most effective method for most homeowners is appealing their property assessment.
What is the deadline to appeal property taxes in Nashville?
For 2026, the informal review window runs from January 19, 2026 through April 30, 2026. This is your best opportunity to appeal. If you miss this deadline, you can still file a formal appeal with the County Board of Equalization, but that process takes longer and requires attending a hearing.
How much can I save by lowering my property tax assessment?
Savings depend on how much your assessment is reduced. In Davidson County, for every $10,000 reduction in appraised value, you save approximately $70 per year in property taxes (based on current USD tax rates). A $50,000 reduction would save roughly $352 per year, and a $100,000 reduction would save about $704 per year.
Who qualifies for the Nashville Property Tax Freeze?
The Property Tax Freeze is available to homeowners who are age 65 or older by December 31, 2025, own and live in their home as their primary residence, and have a combined household income of $61,920 or less (2024 income). The deadline to apply is April 5, 2026.
Do I need to hire someone to appeal my property taxes?
No, you can file a property tax appeal yourself. However, many homeowners choose professional help because researching comparable sales and preparing evidence is time-consuming, and professionals typically achieve better results. With TN.tax, you pay nothing unless we successfully lower your taxes.
Need Help Lowering Your Nashville Property Taxes?
If you believe your Nashville home is over-assessed, TN.tax can help. We provide:
- Free evaluation: We'll analyze your property and tell you if an appeal makes sense
- Full service appeals: We handle all the research, evidence gathering, and filing
- No upfront cost: You pay nothing unless we successfully lower your taxes
Get your free evaluation today and see how much you could save.