Farmers have two more weeks to hand in their Federal Fuel Charge Exemption Certificate forms.

Sharmin Rodgerson, from the Gilbert Plains Coop, says forms need to be in the computer system by April 1st to avoid paying the Carbon Tax. 

“They get fuel, say April 2nd, and haven’t filled out that form they will have to pay that time. If they fill out the form after that any fuel beyond that will be exempted. But they will not get a refund for Carbon Tax that’s already been, and they cannot backdate these forms. They have to be into us and into the commuter system prior to getting an exemption.”

This exemption only applies to bulk delivered fuel, and not at the cardlock.

“They need to remember though that cardlock at this time is not exempt. It does not matter if they have forms filled out or not. And it is clear and dyed to the farm.”  

Rodgerson says she’s hoping the issue can be resolved in time and expects a drop in cardlock usage.

“There’s, I think, a lot of negativity right now expectedly regarding without a cardlock exemption. A lot of local farmers deal strictly with cardlocks, not always about delivering. So that’s going to affect a great deal of our customers."