Agriculture tax break sees tide of applicants

The Georgia Agricultural Tax exemption program was designed to allow farmers and companies that produce $2,500 in agricultural services or products a year to receive sales tax breaks on equipment and production purchases. Construction firms, mineral companies, horse ranches and even dog kennels have applied for the breaks, along with hundreds of out-of-state businesses, with addresses as far afield as Texas and Colorado.

An Atlanta Journal-Constitution analysis shows more than 20,000 businesses have rushed to apply for the tax break since it passed last year, and regulators have few resources to scrutinize the wave of applications.

The program, which took effect in January, broadens sales tax exemptions for equipment and supplies bought by farmers in Georgia.