Tennessee · Railroad Retirement Tier 1 Exclusion
Railroad Retirement Tier 1 Exclusion in Tennessee (2026)
Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits receive the same favorable tax treatment as Social Security, with up to 85% subject to tax based on provisional income. Tennessee has no state income tax, so a Tennessee filer's combined marginal rate on the next dollar at $59,695 of income is about 12% (12% federal).
2026 savings example for Tennessee
Planning estimate for a single filer earning $59,695 (Tennessee median household income in LevyIO's state dataset) who removes $5,000 from taxable income. Federal tax uses the 2026 IRS brackets after the $16,100 standard deduction; TN tax uses the state brackets in LevyIO's dataset.
Estimated total savings
$600
Federal savings
$600
$4,983 → $4,383 · 12% bracket
TN state savings
$0
No state income tax
Combined marginal rate
12%
≈ $120 saved per $1,000 deducted
Federal × Tennessee marginal rates (2026, single)
Gross-income ranges include the federal standard deduction. The TN column is the state marginal rate at the midpoint of each range (Tennessee has no income tax). The last column is the tax saved per $1,000 deducted at that combined rate.
| Federal bracket | Gross income (single) | TN marginal | Combined | Per $1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $16,100 - $28,500 | 0% | 10% | $100 |
| 12% | $28,500 - $66,500 | 0% | 12% | $120 |
| 22% | $66,500 - $121,800 | 0% | 22% | $220 |
| 24% | $121,800 - $217,875 | 0% | 24% | $240 |
| 32% | $217,875 - $272,325 | 0% | 32% | $320 |
| 35% | $272,325 - $656,700 | 0% | 35% | $350 |
| 37% | Over $656,700 | 0% | 37% | $370 |
Eligibility & forms
Railroad retirees receiving Tier 1 benefits equivalent to Social Security
- Tier 1 benefits taxed like Social Security
- Tier 2 benefits taxed as pension income
- Same provisional income thresholds as Social Security
Federal forms: Form RRB-1099, Form RRB-1099-R
Tennessee filing notes
No income tax is a major benefit. Be aware of very high combined sales tax. Low property taxes help offset. No estate or inheritance tax.
Common mistakes: Treating all railroad retirement as fully taxable; Not applying Social Security taxation rules to Tier 1; Missing state tax exclusions for railroad retirement.
Frequently asked questions
How much can the Railroad Retirement Tier 1 Exclusion save a Tennessee taxpayer in 2026?
In LevyIO's example, a single filer with $59,695 of income (the Tennessee median household income in our state dataset) who removes $5,000 from taxable income saves about $600 in 2026 federal tax (12% marginal bracket) and nothing at the state level because Tennessee does not tax wage income. It is a planning estimate computed from the 2026 IRS brackets and LevyIO's TN bracket data, not a survey figure.
What is the Tennessee income tax rate for 2026?
Tennessee has no state income tax. The TN standard deduction in LevyIO's dataset is $0 single / $0 married. No income tax (Hall Tax repealed 2021). Highest combined sales tax (tied 9.55%). Low property taxes.
Who qualifies for the Railroad Retirement Tier 1 Exclusion in Tennessee?
Railroad retirees receiving Tier 1 benefits equivalent to Social Security. The federal rules are the same in every state; the requirements are: Tier 1 benefits taxed like Social Security; Tier 2 benefits taxed as pension income; Same provisional income thresholds as Social Security. Tennessee filers should confirm on the TN return whether the state follows the federal treatment.
Which forms do I file to claim the Railroad Retirement Tier 1 Exclusion?
Federal: Form RRB-1099, Form RRB-1099-R. Tennessee has no individual income tax return for wage income, so there is no state form to file for this item. Common mistakes: Treating all railroad retirement as fully taxable; Not applying Social Security taxation rules to Tier 1; Missing state tax exclusions for railroad retirement.
Railroad Retirement Tier 1 Exclusion in other states
- Full Railroad Retirement Tier 1 Exclusion guide (all states)
- Railroad Retirement Tier 1 Exclusion in Kentucky
- Railroad Retirement Tier 1 Exclusion in Missouri
- Railroad Retirement Tier 1 Exclusion in Arizona
- Railroad Retirement Tier 1 Exclusion in Connecticut
- Railroad Retirement Tier 1 Exclusion in Minnesota
Sources
Reviewed 2026-09-17. Estimates are educational planning figures computed from the IRS 2026 inflation adjustments and LevyIO's state bracket dataset; they are not tax advice.