Officials prepare for motor vehicle tax reform changes - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Officials prepare for motor vehicle tax reform changes

Posted: Updated:
By Tara Herrschaft - bio | email
those buying from a neighbor or friend will have to take the change into consideration those buying from a neighbor or friend will have to take the change into consideration
the new motor vehicle tax reform kicks in on March 1st the new motor vehicle tax reform kicks in on March 1st
The change will only impact new car buyers but the whole process is changing The change will only impact new car buyers but the whole process is changing

  • More WALB News10 HeadlinesMore News Headlines

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 1:31 PM EDT2013-06-19 17:31:17 GMT
    Moultrie Technical College unveiled its new $9.5 million, 46,000 square-foot Health Sciences Building Wednesday. The brand new structure is located at the school's Veterans Parkway Campus (VPC) in Moultrie. Representatives
    Moultrie Technical College unveiled its new $9.5 million, 46,000 square-foot Health Sciences Building Wednesday. The brand new structure is located at the school's Veterans Parkway Campus in Moultrie.

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:10 PM EDT2013-06-19 16:10:40 GMT
    Ravi Mikel Givens was arrested Tuesday and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. He is being held in the Dougherty County jail. Givens, who played ball at Westover and Stetson
    Agents say that police responded to the apartment because of a burglar alarm. Officers found the back door broken open and went inside. That's where they detected a strong odor of marijuana, and saw pot in plain view.

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:53 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:53:35 GMT
    Officials say 38-year-old Melissa Right was traveling south on the highway when her SUV drifted across the center line and hit a tractor trailer.
    Officials say 38-year-old Melissa Right was traveling south on the highway when her SUV drifted across the center line and hit a tractor trailer.
    •   
ALBANY, GA (WALB) -

 Dougherty County commissioners are working to make sure residents applying for a new car title are prepared come March 1st, when the new motor vehicle tax reform kicks in.  Commissioner John Hayes says at a recent conference, commissioners across the state expressed concern about how the counties will handle the change.  "One of the important parts was the fact that staff now will have to determine values, even if they aren't trained to do so and that's going to be a bit of a task, "said Hayes. 

Denver Hooten, the Dougherty County Tax Director, says a state assessment table will calculate the vehicle value for clerks.  Staffs have been attending classes to make sure they're up to speed."They're going to be asking questions they've never had to ask before and when someone brings in their title work, they're going to have to look at it and make sure that the 6.5% is calculated properly," said Hooten.

Starting March 1st, new car buyers will have to pay that one time 6.5% tax for the title.  This replaces the annual "birthday tax."  Car shoppers will no longer have to pay sales tax at the dealership and the savings should offset the cost of the title ad valorem tax.  But those buying from a neighbor or friend will have to take this change into consideration. Hooten says despite all these changes they don't anticipate any problems, other than a crowd. 

 "Unfortunately they started it on a Friday, a first of the month, which is absolutely one of our busiest days on a regular basis so this is going to be challenging  and we just ask the general public to be patient with us," said Hooten. Commission chairman Jeff Sinyard says in addition to being patient, folks should also be informed.

 "Education is the key it's so important right now, we just don't want our citizens to not be aware of this change," said Sinyard.  Sinyard says understanding the new tax will prevent any confusion along with unwanted surprises. Lawmakers are still tweaking the current bill. 

Copyright 2013 WALB.  All rights reserved.