Bass, Berry & Sims attorney Steve Jasper provided insight for an article analyzing the Attorney General’s recently issued opinion that Tennessee’s property tax exemption for rural electric cooperatives is unconstitutional. At least one organization plans to challenge this opinion. In the article, Steve states that “it can be argued that energy cooperatives fit within a specific use exemption in the state constitution.” He further adds, “‘electric co-ops provide a benefit to the community that falls within the authority to provide an exemption for charitable entities.'”
The full article, “Exemption for Rural Electric Co-ops is Ruled Unconstitutional,” was published by published by Tax Analysts’ State Tax Notes on November 2, 2015 and is available online (subscription required).