New GATE Audit Reveals Lack of Proper Oversight

An audit on the Georgia Agriculture Tax Exemption (GATE) Card reveals that between 2014 and 2016 the Department of Revenue only audited 42 of the 38,000 GATE cardholders and found that 29 cardholders were either ineligible to have the card or were taking the exemption on ineligible purchases.  DOR is also legally restricted from disclosing their findings in an audit to the Department of Agriculture who has the power to revoke the GATE card.  The estimated cost of this program is $300 million in annual state and local sales tax revenues, and the data necessary for determining the economic benefits of GATE have not been compiled.

Click here to read the full audit published by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts.

Any questions regarding this issue may directed to:

ACCG Legislative Director Clint Mueller - [email protected] OR

ACCG Deputy General Counsel Larry Ramsey - [email protected]