How Georgia taxes car purchases
- State vehicle tax rate
- 7%
- Trade-in lowers the tax
- Yes
- Tax cap
- None
- Source
- Official source, checked 2026-10-05
These are the rules for a new car bought from a dealer. Used-car and private-sale rules can differ. How we check this data.
Georgia charges 7% at the state level. One-time title ad valorem tax (TAVT) on fair market value, instead of sales tax. That rate is higher than 46 states and lower than 1 state. County and city taxes may add to it, so check your local rate and enter the total in the calculator.
What to know in Georgia
Georgia doesn't charge sales tax on vehicles. Instead you pay a one-time title ad valorem tax (TAVT) at 7% of the vehicle's fair market value when it's titled, and it replaces the annual ad valorem tax on that vehicle.
For a dealer purchase, that value is reduced by your trade-in and by dealer rebates and discounts, so all of them lower what you owe. The calculator takes a rebate off before it figures the tax. Because TAVT is due at titling, it's usually part of the out-the-door price and can be rolled into the loan.
Does Georgia tax your trade-in?
No. Georgia only taxes the difference between the new car's price and your trade-in. On a $35,000 car with a $10,000 trade-in, you'd pay $1,750.00 in state tax instead of $2,450.00, a saving of $700.00. That saving is worth counting when you compare a dealer's trade-in offer with selling the car yourself.
Example: a car loan in Georgia
A $35,000 car with $5,000 down, $1,500 in fees, and a 60-month loan at 6.5% APR ($2,450.00 state tax, rolled into the loan):
- Monthly payment: $664.27
- Amount financed: $33,950
- Total interest: $5,906
- Total cost of the car: $44,856
Change any number in the calculator above to see your own figures.
Rebates and fees
In Georgia, a rebate lowers the taxable price, and the calculator takes it off before figuring the tax. Title, registration and dealer documentation fees vary, so ask for an itemized out-the-door price and put the fee total in the calculator.
Other states
States with similar vehicle tax rates:
- Indiana 7%
- Rhode Island 7%
- Tennessee 7%
- Minnesota 6.875%
- Nevada 6.85%