Tenn. Code Ann. § 54-12-416: Public taxes to be paid before the delinquent assessments

When a sale is ordered in the suit, and is made and reported, the clerk and master of the court, so making the sale, shall report what public taxes are a lien upon any tract so sold in favor of the state, county, or any municipality, and the court shall see that this is done, and any taxes, if the sale is confirmed, shall be first paid out of the proceeds of the sale before the delinquent assessments are paid.