The sales and use taxes levied or imposed by this article shall not apply to:
Such term shall not include real property as defined in Code Section 48-8-3.2. A high-technology data center may not count high-technology data center equipment that it purchases or that is purchased by the high-technology data center customer and subsequently leased to another party more than once for purposes of satisfying the high-technology data center minimum investment threshold.
Notwithstanding any provision of Code Section 48-8-63 to the contrary, purchases by a contractor may qualify for the exemption provided for in this paragraph. However, when a contractor purchases qualifying tangible personal property, the contractor shall pay the tax at the time of purchase or at the time of first use in this state; and the ultimate owner of the property may file a claim for refund of the tax paid on the qualifying property.
Such data shall be compiled by the department and presented to the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Finance Committee for consideration prior to any renewal or extension of the exemption provided by this paragraph.
OCGA § 48-8-3