The State of Georgia passed a law in 2013 that completely changed the way Georgia residents pay taxes on New and Used Vehicles.  If you read the law, it is very obvious that Georgia automotive dealerships have the upper hand, and likely have paid politicians to pass this law, in order to add ADDITIONAL costs to individuals that are simply looking to save money by purchasing a used vehicle from a private party, and avoid the high costs and predatory practices that most Dealerships provide.  

"House Bill 386 was passed by the 2012 Georgia General Assembly and provided for a new method of taxation for certain motor vehicles effective March 1, 2013. House Bill 266 was passed by the 2013 session of the Georgia General Assembly and amended numerous aspects of House Bill 386. The title tax law is codified in O.C.G.A. § 48-5C-1." - Georgia Department of Revenue:  https://onlinemvd.dor.ga.gov/TAP/faqs.aspx

Here is an example.  Let's say I go to the 'Dealer' down the road and have a specific car in mind.  If I purchase from the dealer, I will only need to pay the reduced amount of TAVT (Title Ad Valorem Tax) - The reduction is made based on the trade-in value of said vehicle, when the sale was made by a dealer, but not when the sale was made by a private individual.  Essentially a buyer would be purchasing a more expensive car, but would get a 'discount' on the new TAX.  

Now let's say you found this car for 2000.00 less, locally.  The price of the car at the dealership is 20,000.00.   The local seller has agreed to sell it to you for 18,000.00.  Now you go to the DMV/DDS/TAG office to pay your vehicle registration fee and get your tag.  They pull up your vehicle's value information from a database which says your vehicle is actually worth 24,000.00.   Now they tell you that your registration Title Ad Valorem Tax is going to be based on the 24,000.00 price.  Needless to say that your vehicle is used, has high mileage, and maybe was even in an accident. These items are NOT taken into consideration and you are taxed the same.  

Let's take this a step further.  It used to be the case that you would purchase a new vehicle, and pay a diminishing value for vehicle registration each year as the vehicle aged.  This is CLEARLY an attempt by our local government to suck even more tax out of our wallets.  If you purchased a 2014 car, and it had lots of issues and so you just couldn't wait to get rid of it, you already will have paid this new TAX up front (required in the first 7 days after purchase for existing residents) but you sell it to a friend who loves these cars regardless of the issues.  Now THEY have to pay the tax again the next year.  On a 24,000.00 car, this would be around 2,000.00 in Taxes.  This is ludicrous.  

This NEW TAX needs to be repealed immediately.  It only restricts individuals from making decisions of their own free will, and forces them to purchase from dealerships.  The GEORGIA government continues to TAX us and spend this money with little to no oversight and accountability, and we as residents are sick and tired of these SCAMS.  REPEAL O.C.G.A. § 48-5C-1  TODAY