ATLANTA, Ga. — Georgians will get another week of relief from the state motor fuel tax after Gov. Brian P. Kemp extended the break through Nov. 5, moving the expiration date from Oct. 29 to Nov. 5.
The break removes 33.3 cents per gallon in state tax on gasoline and now runs through Nov. 5. The current suspension took effect Sept. 29. For drivers, a 10-gallon purchase represents about $3.33 in avoided state tax, about $5 on 15 gallons and $6.66 on 20 gallons.
The average price for regular gas in Georgia was $3.85 a gallon Thursday, down from $3.96 one week ago, an 11-cent drop. Gas prices averaged about $4.11 per gallon when the suspension took effect Sept. 29 and are now about $3.85, a decline of roughly 26 cents.
Kemp also waived state penalties for selling, delivering or using dyed diesel fuel in on-road vehicles for the duration of the related emergency. He said farmers and truckers are under heavy pressure and described the measures as help for those industries and the Georgians who depend on the goods they produce and transport.
AAA reports Georgia average regular gasoline price has declined about 33 cents per gallon due to the tax suspension, while the average diesel price has fallen more than 42 cents. Wednesday statewide average was $3.85 compared with a national average of $4.36, still about $1 more per gallon than a year ago.
Analysts caution that oil prices and global events can still move pump prices even while the tax is suspended. Without the break, one petroleum analysis estimate put likely Georgia prices around $4.05 to $4.10 per gallon.
