College Park Wins Airport Tax Victory in Court

March 28th, 2013

The Supreme Court of Georgia ruled today that the City of College Park can tax businesses at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The two cities have been feuding for years over whether College Park can tax businesses at the airport, some of which lie within the College Park city limits.

By a six-to-one decision, the Court upheld an appeals court ruling that allows College Park to levy taxes on airport business licenses within its boundaries. Atlanta City Attorney Cathy Hampton told WABE that the City is reviewing its next steps in the suit.

WABE Legal Analyst Page Pate says Atlanta’s best bet might be to ask the state legislature to address the issue rather than pursue it in a higher court.An audio version of this story

Airport vendors went to the legislature this year to try to get out from under ad valorem taxes levied by Clayton County.

Part of the airport lies inside Clayton County, and it’s been taxing some of the vendors since 2010.

House Bill 399 sought to stop that tax by amending state code. But the Senate tabled the bill earlier this week. Clayton County and the City of Atlanta are also in litigation over the issue.