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During the 2022 legislative session, the Georgia General Assembly passed significant tax legislation, including authorizing affiliated groups to file consolidated corporate income tax returns without prior approval from the Department of Revenue, extending and amending qualification for the high-technology and data center sales tax exemptions, extending and increasing several income tax credits, and changing procedures…

Since 2001, Georgia has provided a sales and use tax exemption for high-technology companies that invest at least $15 million in eligible computer equipment (including hardware and software) in a calendar year. O.C.G.A. § 48-8-3(68). During the 2021 legislative session, the Georgia General Assembly passed SB 6, which included significant changes the High-Tech Exemption. …

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has signed into law House Bill 451, which provides temporary ad valorem tax relief to Georgia manufacturers to mitigate the economic and logistical disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under HB 451, for property tax year 2021, manufacturers claiming Georgia’s Level 1 Freeport exemption pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 48-5-48.2(c)(1) may…

On April 29, 2021, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed SB 185, limiting the application of administrative deference in Georgia tax controversies. This law seeks to level the playing field in state tax litigation matters by reducing the level of deference accorded to the Department of Revenue’s interpretations of ambiguous laws. The law provides that…

On March 22, 2021, the Georgia House of Representatives passed SB 185, which now heads to the Governor’s desk. The measure, which was previously unanimously passed by the state Senate, seeks to level the playing field in state tax litigation matters by reducing the level of deference accorded to the Department of Revenue’s interpretations…

On February 22, 2021, the Georgia House of Representatives introduced H.B. 594, which would impose the Georgia sales tax on digital goods or services. The bill amends the definition of tangible personal property, subject to sales tax, to include “digital goods or services.” It defines digital goods or services to include: (1) specified digital…

On February 26, 2021, a subcommittee of the Georgia Ways & Means Committee quickly approved HB 428, which proposes to eliminate the current Georgia sales tax exemption for high-technology companies and facilities that invest at least $15 million in eligible computer equipment in Georgia during a calendar year. The exemption has been available to…

The Georgia Court of Appeals held that a group of telecommunications dealers that were AT&T subsidiaries (collectively “AT&T”) had standing to challenge the Georgia Department of Revenue’s (“DOR”) denial of sales tax refund claims.  Effective May 5, 2009, O.C.G.A. §§ 48-2-35 and 48-2-35.1 were amended to provide standing for “dealers” to file refund claims on…