Coca-Cola will get tax refund (11/28/2008)

An oversight by a corporate office has resulted in a Portland factory paying the full amount of property taxes this year.

An official with Coca-Cola Bottling Company, 1617 N. Meridian St., told Portland City Council members Monday night that one of the forms for the company's tax abatement was not filed in the Jay County Assessor's office last year.

As a result, the company paid the entire amount of property taxes, rather than a portion of the taxes, and will receive a refund, an official with the Jay County Auditor's office said this morning.

Tax abatements phase in property taxes on new investments over a period of several years. This is the second year of the company's five-year abatement.

Ron Stockton, Coca-Cola plant manager, said the CF1 form was filed on time, but not the 103 ERA form.

The form was due by May 15, 2007, Linda Kennedy, city clerk-treasurer, said this morning.

Coca-Cola officials discovered that the form had not been filed when the company received a larger property tax bill than expected this year.

Council members approved a resolution Monday that acknowledges that the form recently was filed, and the company is in compliance.

The abatement, which was approved on May 16, 2006, is for new equipment.[[In-content Ad]]