Georgia Gas Tax Suspension
Georgia Suspends State Gas Tax for 30 Days Amid Rising Fuel Prices
Anonymous
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency and suspended the state motor-fuel tax for 30 days, beginning just after midnight Tuesday and running through Oct. 29, as fuel prices rose amid the war in Iran. The suspension removes about 33 cents per gallon from gasoline and 37 cents from diesel, though the savings may take several days to appear at the pump. Georgia’s average prices were reported at about $4.19 per gallon for gasoline and $6.24 for diesel. Kemp also temporarily lifted weight limits on commercial trucks, saying the change could reduce transportation costs for goods. The tax break could cost the state roughly $200 million a month, with Georgia’s surplus expected to help cover the lost revenue.
Key Points
1
Georgia's gas price of $4.19 per gallon was about 28 cents below the national average, but it had risen 10 cents in a week and was far above the $2.87 average a year earlier.
2
Georgia's fuel taxes are earmarked for roads and bridges; the state plans to use its accumulated surplus to make up for the revenue loss.
3
Kemp has suspended the gas tax several times before: in 2022 amid the price spike tied to the war in Ukraine, in 2023 amid high inflation, briefly in 2024 after Hurricane Helene, and again earlier in 2026 through Memorial Day.
4
Officials had not said whether they would consider extending the tax relief beyond its 30-day period.
5
The suspension came as voters pressed leaders to ease household budget pressures ahead of the November elections.
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