North Georgia Electric Membership Corporation is reminding farmers and homesteaders who qualify for Georgia’s Agricultural Tax Exemption program to make sure their updated GATE cards are submitted to the electric cooperative before the end of the year.

In an announcement issued November 2, NGEMC said members with electric accounts eligible for the Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption should provide their current GATE card information by December 31 to maintain tax-exempt status on applicable accounts.

The GATE program, administered by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, allows qualifying agricultural producers to receive exemptions from certain state and local sales taxes on eligible agricultural purchases and expenses.

The exemption can apply to qualifying electricity used in agricultural production, making it important for farmers and agricultural businesses to keep their information current with their electric provider.

According to the Georgia Department of Agriculture, farmers whose GATE certificates expire December 31, 2026, can now renew for the 2027 through 2029 certification period.

However, agricultural producers whose existing certificates expire in 2027 or later do not need to renew their certificates this year. The department reports that updated plastic cards for those participants were mailed in October.

NGEMC is asking members to submit their current GATE card through a form available on the cooperative’s website. Members should also identify all electric accounts covered by the agricultural exemption to ensure the appropriate accounts are included.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture advises applicants to check the expiration date printed on their existing certificates before beginning the renewal process.

The department’s online application and renewal system for the 2027 through 2029 period is now open. Farmers whose certificates have already expired must apply for a new certificate rather than renew an expired one.

For farmers and homesteaders in Chattooga County and other communities served by North Georgia EMC, maintaining accurate GATE information can help prevent the loss of applicable sales tax exemptions on qualifying electric service.

Members can submit their cards and account information through NGEMC’s website at www.ngemc.com/send-in-your-gate-card/.

Additional information about eligibility, applications, and renewals is available through the Georgia Department of Agriculture at agr.georgia.gov. Farmers needing assistance can contact the GATE Customer Service Center at 855-327-6829.

NGEMC is encouraging eligible members to complete the necessary steps before the December 31 deadline.