Many times in our day-to-day business dealings, we run into people who believe rural electric cooperatives do not pay taxes. This is a common belief that is wrong. Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative (GCEC), like other electric cooperatives across the country, pays taxes every year.
GCEC is a local business, and we pay our fair share of ad valorem property taxes in Gulf, Bay, Jackson, Washington, Walton, and Calhoun counties. The property taxes are based on the assessed value of Gulf Coast’s electrical distribution system (consisting of such items as poles, wires, transformers, meters, and property) located in the six counties served.
Gulf Coast Electric is pleased to be a tax-paying partner of the communities in our service area. Tax payments are used at the local level to support our county schools and government.