Politics
Politics

Many counties losers since Georgia ended car ‘birthday tax’

ajc.com

Credit: HANDOUT

Credit: HANDOUT

By James Salzer
Updated Oct 2, 2017

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.

To find out why, check out our story on myajc.com.

About the Author

James Salzer has covered state government and politics in Georgia since 1990. He previously covered politics and government in Texas and Florida. He specializes in government finance, budgets, taxes, campaign finance, ethics and legislative history

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