Perdue considers Richardson tax plan

Gov. Sonny Perdue says he has met with the economist behind House Speaker Glenn Richardson's plan to replace property taxes with a four-percent sales tax on goods and services, such as haircuts and legal counseling.

Perdue says he is interested in broadening the tax base, as this plan would do, and he understands property taxes are onerous. But, he stopped short of endorsing Richardson's proposal. He says he has many questions.

"This would be a huge departure," Perdue says. "We need to have to have the facts on exactly how it impacts [people]."

In addition, Perdue says he wants to make sure a sales tax would raise enough revenue alone.

Local officials across the state have criticized Richardson's plan. They fear they could lose money if the property tax were abolished.

Beaulieu pays 33-mill to close federal tax case

A Dalton-based carpet manufacturer has paid over 33-million dollars to settle its federal case for filing a false tax return seven years ago.

Beaulieu of America has paid the money to settle back taxes, fines and penalties from filing a false tax return. It closes the case of an investigation that covered 10 years and spanned several countries.

Court documents said the company "knowingly overstated" a deduction for carpet production equipment at its Alabama plant. The settlement paid includes over 22-million dollars in back taxes.

Wednesday’s resolution follows the details of the plea agreement reached last month which includes Beaulieu’s co-founder stepping-down as CEO. Carl Bouckaert has also been barred from involvement in the company's day-to-day operations for five years.

Beaulieu is the third-largest carpet manufacturer in the country.