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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Public Service Commission candidate Peter Hubbard gets a hug from Brionté McCorkle, executive director of Georgia Conservation Voters, during an election-night party in Southwest Atlanta on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.  (Ben Gray for the AJC)

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