Georgia farmers, truckers and other commercial operators will have more time to benefit from the state’s temporary fuel tax relief after Gov. Brian Kemp extended the emergency measures through Nov. 5.
The extension comes as fuel costs continue to put pressure on industries that depend heavily on diesel. Along with keeping Georgia’s motor fuel tax suspended, the state is temporarily waiving penalties connected to the use of dyed diesel fuel in vehicles traveling on public roads.
The latest order took effect Oct. 6 and extends the current petroleum supply emergency through 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 5, unless the state ends or renews the measures sooner.
Dyed diesel penalties temporarily waived
One of the biggest changes affects off-road, or “dyed,” diesel.
Dyed diesel is commonly used in agricultural and other off-road equipment. Under the temporary waiver, Georgia will not impose state penalties related to the sale, delivery or consumption of dyed diesel for highway use during the emergency period.
The Georgia Department of Revenue said the waiver applies statewide and is effective from Oct. 6 through Nov. 5.
The department has also been directed to provide guidance on how the temporary policy should be handled.
The change is particularly relevant during Georgia’s fall harvest season, when farmers and agricultural businesses can face substantial fuel expenses.
Georgia’s fuel tax remains suspended
The state’s motor fuel excise tax suspension, which originally began Sept. 29, has also been extended.
The current suspension covers qualifying motor fuel taxes through Nov. 5. State weight limits on commercial vehicles have also been suspended under the emergency measures, offering another temporary cost adjustment for the trucking industry.
Before the latest suspension, Georgia’s motor fuel excise tax was 33.3 cents per gallon on gasoline and 37.3 cents per gallon on diesel.
The fuel-tax suspension does not mean every fuel-related tax has disappeared. Certain local taxes, including prepaid local sales tax, remain in place.
Georgia fuel prices have fallen from last week’s levels
Fuel prices have moved lower since the latest relief measures began.
As of Oct. 7, the average price for regular gasoline in Georgia was about $3.86 per gallon, while the statewide average for diesel was about $5.81 per gallon, according to the latest AAA figures.
A week earlier, Georgia’s averages were approximately $4.05 for regular gasoline and $6.09 for diesel. That represents a drop of roughly 19 cents per gallon for gasoline and 28 cents for diesel over the week.
Georgia’s current regular gasoline average is also below the national average, which stood at about $4.37 per gallon on Oct. 7.
Despite the recent decline, diesel remains a major expense for truckers and agricultural operations because of the amount of fuel required to move goods, operate heavy equipment and complete seasonal farm work.
Relief comes as supply concerns continue
The state says the emergency measures are tied to global market volatility and continuing disruptions affecting petroleum supplies.
For farmers, the timing is especially important as the fall harvest increases demand for tractors, combines, trucks and other fuel-dependent equipment. Trucking companies are also dealing with fuel costs that can affect the price of transporting products throughout Georgia and beyond.
The latest extension gives businesses additional time to adjust while fuel markets remain unsettled.
For now, the fuel-tax suspension and the temporary dyed-diesel penalty waiver are scheduled to remain in effect through Nov. 5. The state could end the measures earlier or extend them again depending on conditions.
