ATLANTA – Democratic gubernatorial nominee Roy Barnes claimed federal and state income tax breaks in 2008 and 2009 for depreciation on a house he doesn’t own.
Cobb County property records show Barnes’ daughter and son-in-law have owned the home since 2007.
Barnes campaign spokesman Emil Runge chalked up the mistake to an accounting error and said as a result the former governor had underpaid about $7,500 in taxes for the two years.
Runge said Barnes’ accountant was amending his returns and in the course of the review found another error in 2008 that will deliver Barnes an additional tax refund of about $30,000.
Barnes has attacked his Republican opponent Nathan Deal for not paying enough in taxes.