GA HB696

Creates a state sales and use tax exemption for high-technology data center equipment purchased or leased for use in qualifying data centers, effective from July 1, 2018, through December 31, 2028, with automatic repeal on January 1, 2029

Requires minimum investment thresholds over a consecutive seven-year period based on county population: $250 million (counties over 50,000), $150 million (counties 30,001–50,000), or $100 million (counties under 30,001), plus creation of at least 20 new quality jobs

Data centers that fail to meet the minimum investment threshold within seven years must repay all exempted or refunded taxes plus interest; the commissioner may also require a surety bond of up to $20 million as a condition of issuing the exemption certificate

Data centers receiving the exemption are prohibited from claiming additional tax credits under Code Sections 48-7-40 through 48-7-40.33 or 36-62-5.1, but may file amended returns to claim those credits if forced to repay the exemption

Requires annual reporting to the commissioner on exempted tax amounts, new quality jobs, and total payroll, with the commissioner issuing an annual report to the chairs of the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee