Many Georgians were happy when state lawmakers decided to begin phasing out the so-called "birthday tax," the annual property tax Georgia car owners had to pay on their vehicles.

State lawmakers replaced the "birthday tax," which was called that because it was due on the owners' birthday, with a one-time title fee when you buy a new or used car.

The change - approved in 2012 - worked out great for state government, which took in a lot more money in title taxes than it previously received on the purchase of vehicles. But a new study says it proved a financial hardship for more than half of the state's counties, cities and school districts, which got less money from vehicle taxes in 2016 than they did in 2012 when the change was made.

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Hyundai executive Euisun Chung stands with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp at the automaker's Metaplant in southeast Georgia in March 2025. (Mike Stewart/AP)

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Thousands of UGA students enjoy during the annual “Frat Beach” party for the weekend of the Georgia-Florida football game on St. Simons Island, Friday, November 1, 2024. On the weekend of the Georgia-Florida football game, St. Simons Island’s East Beach becomes “Frat Beach,” an open-air party teeming with thousands of highly inebriated college students. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

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