City official predicts 3 years before motor vehicle tax revenues "disappear"

Cedartown city manager Bill Fann says that local ad valorem tax revenues from cars and trucks in Georgia will virtually vanish in three years.  The state reformed the "birthday tax" system several years ago, and local governments were concerned at the time that the redesigned system would eventually lead to decreased revenues.  From the Polk County Standard Journal:

...It’s a problem all local governments are facing, and city manager Bill Fann has one big answer as to why: ad valorem tax is disappearing for motor vehicles.

“The [Cedartown] millage rate has been virtually constant, yet the net ad valorem tax revenue is down from 2012 to 2016,” he said. 

He said because Georgia’s annual motor vehicle tax is almost non-existent, with it being replaced by payments made when a vehicle is first purchased followed by an annual tag fee each year, the money that cities and counties once relied on to help decrease taxes overall isn’t there anymore.

“It’ll be three years before it virtually disappears,” he said...

Tag renewal kiosk comes to North Decatur Kroger

Tag registration renewal kiosk at North Decatur Kroger

In addition to renewing car tags on Memorial Drive, South DeKalb Mall, on the phone or by mail, DeKalb residents may now renew their tag at the grocery store. A self-service renewal kiosk has been installed at the Kroger on 2875 North Decatur Road, one of less than a dozen kiosk locations in metro-Atlanta.

Tax Commissioner's Irvin Johnson's office says, "Please note that peak office times are usually Mondays and Fridays along with the day after a holiday and daily lunch periods. These are the times you may want to consider or plan to use the Kroger kiosks..."  The North Decatur Kroger is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

The green-colored machine is close to the check-out aisles near the main exit.  A video of how the kiosk operates can be viewed at the Georgia Department of Revenue's website here.