Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST)

The Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) is an optional 1% County sales tax used to fund capital outlay projects proposed by the County government and participating qualified municipal governments. County and municipal governments may not use these proceeds to fund operations or pay salaries. The tax is authorized by the voters for specific projects and may be used only for those projects. Several factors determine the duration of the tax but, in general, it may be levied for either five or six years. Specifics of the tax and legal requirements can be found in Official Code of Georgia Section 48-8-110.

Reporting, Recordkeeping & Audits

The County and each municipality receiving SPLOST funds must maintain a record of each project for which the proceeds are used. A schedule must be included in the annual audit of each agency that contains information on each project including original estimated cost, current estimated cost, amounts expended in prior years, and amounts expended in the current year. Additionally, prior to December 31st of each year, these same agencies must publish a nontechnical report in a newspaper of general circulation within the County which provides the same basic information as contained in the audit schedule.