HOUSE COMMITTEE TO EXPLORE THE ELIMINATION OF THE CAR TAG TAX

ATLANTA – Rep. Mark Burkhalter (R-Alpharetta), Chairman of the House Tag Tax Study Committee, will hold the first of a series of meetings to examine whether the General Assembly should repeal Georgia’s ad valorem tax on motor vehicles on Monday, August 7th at 7:00 PM at the Alpharetta Marriott Hotel located at 5750 Windward Parkway in Alpharetta.

Other members of the study committee include Rep. Melvin Everson (R-Snellville), Rep. Mike Coan (R-Lawrenceville), Rep. Jeff May (R-Monroe) and Rep. Martin Scott (R-Rossville).

According to the most recent data from the Georgia Department of Revenue, there are approximately 8 million vehicles registered in the state that are taxed annually compared to 6 million in 1995.

The ad valorem taxes on vehicles – whether cars, pick up trucks, campers, SUVs or commercial vehicles – are due annually on the birth date of the owner of the vehicle. The taxes are paid to the county where the owner of the vehicle resides.

“Motorists shouldn’t have to pay government to own a vehicle.” Rep. Burkhalter said. “We are going to explore whether the sentiment is there to eliminate this tax and whether the state can afford it now, over several years or sometime in the future.”

Officials from Virginia, a state that recently eliminated most of this car tax, will be on hand to discuss how such a policy was enacted. The meeting is open to the public and taxpayers are invited to attend.

For further information, please contact Representative Burkhalter’s office at 404-656-5072.