TAX NEWS - January 2009

State of Georgia tax: Freeport Exemption

Property Tax Exemptions and Deferrals - Property Tax Guide For The Georgia Taxpayer

The governing authority of any county or municipality may elect, with the approval of the voters, to exempt the following types of tangible personal property:

- Inventory of goods in the process of being manufactured or produced including raw materials and partly finished goods;

- Inventory of finished goods manufactured or produced within this State held by the manufacturer or producer for a period not to exceed 12 months;

- Inventory of finished goods on January 1 that are stored in a warehouse, dock, or wharf which are destined for shipment outside this State for a period not to exceed 12 months;

The percentage of exemption can be set at 20, 40, 60, 80 or 100 percent of the inventory value. Over sixty percent of Georgia counties and cities have adopted the Freeport Exemption at some level.

Application for freeport exemption should be made with the Board of Tax Assessor's within the same time period that returns are due in the county.  Applications filed after that time can receive a partial exemption for that year up to June 1.