Extremely High ad valorem tax in fulton county? (sales, 2015)

[staylor2014]

I moved here from NC and I have a 2007 Toyota Land Cruiser. I went to get my Georgia tag and the tax is $2200.00. This seems to be a little high on a 8 year old car. I bought a 2013 Ford( while in GA) and the tax was not even close to this. The $2200.00 seems to be rather high. I'm just curious does this seem high to any one else. I ask repeatedly at the tag office about it being so high but they just state that is what it is with no explanation. Any help would be appreciated.

[red92s]

Paying a TVAT of $2200, at the new 2015 rate of 7%, means the put the fair market value at something like $31,500.

Using KBB.com, the typical sales price for a private party sales in the neighborhood of $26-28K based on condition. From a dealership, $28-31K based on condition. So, their assumed FMV does sound like it's on the high side, but it's not like double what they are actually selling for.

You can appeal FMV for your vehicle at the county level if you think it's unjustly high. If you got it dropped to $25k you'd save about $500 in taxes.

[midgeorgiaman]

It is ridiculous. It is crazy high. It is not only in Fulton but statewide. Short version...people wanted the annual car tax (ad valorem) ended and the biggie: it used to be that private individual sales were free of sales tax where buying a car from a dealer was not. The auto dealers lobbied hard and won. Now, when you buy a car in Georgia, instead of sales tax or annual ad valorem taxes, you pay one 6-7% fee (I cant remember which exactly as it has changed a bit as it was phased in). For Georgia residents... not a bad trade as the sales tax plus ad valorem over the life of the car would be more than that.

Down sides: 1. Buying from an individual doesn't save nearly as much money which is what the dealers wanted and got. 2. MOVING FROM OUT OF STATE: These people get royally 5crewed. You have already paid sales tax in the state you moved from and essentially have to pay it again to register your car in Georgia. There are cases where a family with 3 or 4 modest cars having to cough up 3-5000 dollars at one time. So here you are moving to the state (usually with a job) so you will be adding positively to the state economy and we want growth and people to move here but when you do the state basically robs you blind to register your cars. Pretty stupid if you ask me, but nonresidents dont vote so there is no reason for politicians to care. It doesn't affect those already in the state the same way.

I moved my mother here earlier this year and it was $700 for a 2002 Tacoma. I feel your pain.

[cwkimbro]

Well ... just to make sure this isn't a communication issue.

This tax is not an ad valorem tax. It replaced that annual tax. That tax is a one time tax (TAVT).

But yes there is a whole slew of people who end up ahead or behind based on what kind of cars they have and how frequently they get another car.

I think the the state needs to create a better payment plan for people moving in from out of state. The cost isn't necessarily too much if it is spread over a few years compared to the old ad valorem tax.

The only other idea would be to have an ad valorem tax just for those that moved here from out of state with a car. The new system will continue to operate for every resident that buys a car, while a resident of Georgia.

[AtlantaComment]

Originally Posted by cwkimbro

Well ... just to make sure this isn't a communication issue.

This tax is not an ad valorem tax. It replaced that annual tax. That tax is a one time tax (TAVT).

???

Might want to check what the AV in TAVT stand for....