Georgia, Ohio, North Carolina Diesel Tax Holidays Cut Up to 47 Cents

Truckers fueling in Georgia, North Carolina and Ohio are paying little or no state motor fuel tax on diesel for now. Georgia has extended its suspension through Nov. 30, North Carolina’s holiday ends the same day, and Ohio’s runs until Jan. 2, Transport Topics reported.

In normal times these state levies add as much as 47 cents per gallon to the price of diesel. With all three holidays in effect, a carrier routing trucks through these states can buy fuel without that charge until the deadlines pass.

Georgia extends its pause through Thanksgiving travel

Gov. Brian Kemp lengthened Georgia’s motor fuel tax suspension to Nov. 30 because the state emergency behind it was extended. The governor’s office pointed to high pump prices and to heavier seasonal traffic from the agricultural harvest and the approaching Thanksgiving holiday.

Georgia’s excise tax is normally 37.3 cents per gallon on diesel and 33.3 cents a gallon on gasoline, according to the governor’s office. The suspension covers clear diesel, gasoline, aviation gasoline, liquid propane gas, gasohol, ethanol, liquefied natural gas and compressed natural gas.

North Carolina stops collecting its 41-cent tax

North Carolina’s holiday comes from a law Gov. Josh Stein enacted Oct. 9. It halts collection of the state’s 41-cent-per-gallon tax on gas and other motor fuel, which the governor described as relief for drivers facing high prices.

State Attorney General Jeff Jackson said the excise tax now stands at zero cents. Sales, use and inspection taxes have not changed. The state Department of Revenue said the suspension reaches every motor fuel and alternative fuel that is normally subject to the North Carolina excise tax, so diesel is included. The holiday expires Nov. 30.

Ohio’s holiday lasts into January

Ohio has the longest window of the three. An emergency directive from Gov. Mike DeWine cuts the tax on both diesel and gasoline to $0.0001 per gallon until Jan. 2 at 11:59 p.m.

The standard Ohio rates are 47 cents per gallon for diesel and 38.5 cents for gasoline, which makes Ohio’s diesel tax the largest of the three being waived. The Ohio Department of Taxation said state law requires fuel retailers to hand the full tax savings to customers at the pump.

What it means for carriers and owner-operators

For fleets and owner-operators, the holidays lower fuel costs in three states at once. The savings per gallon in each state while the holidays last:

• Ohio: the diesel tax is down to $0.0001 from its usual 47 cents, through Jan. 2.
• North Carolina: the 41-cent excise tax is at zero through Nov. 30, while other fuel taxes still apply.
• Georgia: the 37.3-cent diesel tax is waived through Nov. 30.

Ohio’s retailer rule matters for drivers checking receipts. The state requires the whole savings to be passed on, so the lower tax is meant to show up in the posted pump price.

When the suspensions end

Unless extended again, the Georgia and North Carolina holidays both end Nov. 30 and the full excise taxes return. Ohio’s lower rate stays in place until 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 2. Georgia’s suspension is tied to the governor’s state emergency declaration.

Source: Transport Topics