Georgia TAVT (Title Ad Valorem Tax)
Georgia does not charge sales tax on vehicles. Instead it charges a one-time Title Ad Valorem Tax when the vehicle is titled — and then almost nothing each year after that. It is a genuinely different model from most states, and it changes the maths on whether to buy in Georgia.
The rate is 7%, and it is charged once
TAVT is 7.0% of the vehicle’s fair market value, paid when the title is transferred into your name. After that, the annual registration is $20 and the title fee $18. So Georgia front-loads what other states spread across years of registration.
Fair market value, not your purchase price
For used vehicles the state uses the value in its own assessment manual rather than what you paid. For new vehicles it is the greater of the retail selling price or the manual value. A good deal on a used car therefore does not reduce the tax — the state values the vehicle independently.
New residents pay 3%
If you move to Georgia with a vehicle you already own, TAVT is charged at a reduced 3% of fair market value rather than the full 7%. This replaced the older rule that let new residents split the payment across two instalments, so guidance describing a 50/50 split is out of date.
What this means over time
Because the annual cost is only $20, Georgia is one of the cheapest states in which to keep a car registered long term — but one of the more expensive at the moment of purchase. If you buy frequently, the front-loaded model costs more; if you keep cars for years, it is a bargain.
Official source
Georgia DOR — Vehicle Taxes (TAVT) ↗ — the figures on this page are checked against it, most recently on 2026-08-20. See how we verify fees.
Common questions
What is the Georgia TAVT rate?
7.0% of fair market value for most transfers, and 3% for vehicles brought in by new Georgia residents.
Do I pay sales tax on a car in Georgia?
No. TAVT replaces sales tax on vehicle purchases in Georgia.
Is TAVT charged every year?
No — it is a one-time tax at titling. The recurring cost is the $20 annual registration.
Is TAVT based on what I paid?
Not for used vehicles. Georgia uses the value in its motor vehicle assessment manual, so a below-market purchase price does not reduce the tax owed.