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Georgia · What a car really costs

Buying a car in Georgia.

Georgia charges title ad valorem tax (tavt) of 7% statewide on vehicles, with no local add-on. A trade-in does reduce the taxable price, which is real money on the deal.

7%
Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) on a vehicle
Full credit
Trade-in reduces the taxable price
$18.00
Title fee
$20
Registration, typical new car
~$599
Doc fee, typical (no cap)

How the tax works.

TAVT replaced both sales tax and the annual 'birthday' ad valorem tax for vehicles titled on or after March 1, 2013; county LOST/SPLOST sales taxes do not apply to titled motor vehicles.

The TAVT rate returned to 7% on July 1, 2023 (MVD-2023-02) after a temporary 6.6% rate.

Manufacturer rebates are not deducted from the retail selling price used for TAVT on new vehicles (DOR MV-7D worksheet uses the selling price before incentives). Verify for the specific transaction.

TAVT is paid once at titling; vehicles subject to TAVT owe no annual ad valorem tax while owned by the same person.

Flat 7% of the taxable base; 3% for new residents bringing in a vehicle; 0.5% for immediate-family transfers.
Trade-ins: For dealer sales the TAVT base is the retail selling price (fair market value for new vehicles) less the trade-in value (O.C.G.A. 48-5C-1).

At the DMV.

FeeAmount
Title$18.00
Registration~$20
Annual license plate registration $20 (standard plate). $1 mail fee if mailed. Prestige/specialty plates add $35-$80.

Leasing in Georgia.

7% TAVT on the total of the base lease payments plus any down payment, paid at titling (dealer/lessor collects up front)

Cities in Georgia.

Pick your city for the exact combined rate where you register, plus what title and registration run there.

AtlantaFulton CountyMaconBibb CountySavannahChatham CountyColumbusMuscogee CountyMariettaCobb CountyAugustaRichmond CountyAthensClarke CountyAlbanyDougherty CountyDecaturDeKalb CountyValdostaLowndes County
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Questions.

How much is sales tax on a car in Georgia?

7%. Georgia applies one rate statewide on vehicles, so it does not change from city to city.

Does a trade-in lower the sales tax in Georgia?

For dealer sales the TAVT base is the retail selling price (fair market value for new vehicles) less the trade-in value (O.C.G.A. 48-5C-1).

What are title and registration fees in Georgia?

Title is $18.00. Annual license plate registration $20 (standard plate). $1 mail fee if mailed. Prestige/specialty plates add $35-$80.

Is the doc fee capped in Georgia?

No. Georgia sets no statutory cap, and dealers typically charge around $599. No statutory cap. Typical from CarEdge 2026 (secondary).

How is a lease taxed in Georgia?

7% TAVT on the total of the base lease payments plus any down payment, paid at titling (dealer/lessor collects up front)

Where these numbers come from.

Rates, fees, and rules change. These figures are estimates for planning, not tax advice; confirm the final numbers with the dealer and your state's motor vehicle agency before you buy.