(a) The commissioner and each tax receiver, tax collector, and tax commissioner of this state, at his discretion, may furnish to the tax officials of any other state, political subdivision of any other state, political subdivision of this state, the District of Columbia, or the United States and its territories any information contained in tax returns, reports, and related schedules and documents filed pursuant to the tax laws of this state or contained in the report of an audit or investigation made with respect to any such return, report, schedule, or document if the jurisdiction to which the information is furnished grants similar privileges to this state and if the information is to be used only for tax purposes.

(b) The commissioner and each tax receiver, tax collector, and tax commissioner of this state may enter into agreements with tax officials described in subsection (a) of this Code section to provide for the exchange of tax information as authorized by this Code section.

(c) Furnishing information as permitted by this Code section shall not be deemed to change the confidential character of the information furnished.