Ad valorem tax on 5th wheels in Georgia

[J Gamble]

We purchased our Montana 5th wheel in South Carolina, but live in Georgia. We paid our title/tag/taxes when we returned to Georgia, but I just received a bill for ad valorem taxes today. I was surprised since I thought the vehicle taxes were a one-time tax. When I called the office, I was told that there is now an annual ad valorem tax since the vehicle is towed (not motorized). The assessed value is also significantly higher than advertised vehicles now and the NADA RV guide. I read that values are listed in a manual, but haven't been able to find that for the Montana 5th wheel (2019 3121RL). I am resigning myself to having to pay this unexpected tax, but wondering if anyone knows how to get the assessed value adjusted. Thank you in advance for your input.

[DieselDevilDog]

Hello, We are also looking into a 3121RL......let me know how much it is....appreciate it..................................Diesel

[Skw774]

ours was also a shock,bought in virgina brought it to georgia. will see in august how bad this year is.

[DieselDevilDog]

let me know if you can! appreciate it. ...........................Diesel

[suny07]

Hi,

I was told that recreational vehicles and trailers are under the ad valorem tax in GA.
They are treated that way as they are "luxurious" items :O

Mike

[BiggarView]

Sounds like a reason to not register them in GA.

[druryg]

Does not sound right. We paid a one time ad tax on our new DP coach and just have the annual tag fee. On our Montana 5ver we stopped paying that 2 years ago at least. If you just relocated it is a one time fee only.

All our tag fees have dropped to minimal now that the ad fee was dropped to a one time fee.

[GAinaMontana]

In GA motor vehicles have a one-time Title ad valorem tax of 7% when you first tag the vehicle. After that it is a minimal tag fee each year. There is no sales tax on vehicles in GA. Where GA makes up for the lost ad valoram tax is that every time a vehicle is tagged to a new owner they collect the tax again based on current value. My county has a 7% sales tax so that wash a wash. We save the annual ad valoram tax that we used to pay.

[DieselDevilDog]

Thanks for that, When I called the tag office the lady said your 5th wheel is due every year and the value goes down? Not sure, will have to call again.

[BiggarView]

So Georgia has no sales tax on vehicles but they ding you with a basically equivalent ad valorem tax... bogus. They're still taxing your purchase so the net to you is the same as having a sales tax. Paper pushing to justify somebody's job.

[Slow Hand]

Guess I will keep my 03 till it dies. She's a goodie

[riflegunbuilder]

If I remember correctly, the single Ad valoram tax applies to motor vehicles. Travel trailers and 5th wheels are classed as mobile homes.

[skypilot]

Know you are talking GA but here in Kansas we have annual 'personal property tax' which sounds like your Ad Valoram tax. While it does go down, it is still a more significant amount than the sales tax we also had to pay. As was said, they have to make up the money somewhere.

[bubbagulf]

Trailers get dinged Ad Valor-am each and every year. Our 2014 3625 runs $400 + each year..... The friendly folks at the Carroll County tax office tried to help as I am a senior and a vet but no luck.

[phillyg]

Originally Posted by skypilot

Know you are talking GA but here in Kansas we have annual 'personal property tax' which sounds like your Ad Valoram tax. While it does go down, it is still a more significant amount than the sales tax we also had to pay. As was said, they have to make up the money somewhere.

It's the same in VA with each county/city levying personal property tax at different rates, and it can be mighty expensive on a high dollar RV. Here in FL there's no PPT, but yearly registrations are computed by some weird formula, so you pay FL one way or another. Sounds like GA has figured out another way to getcha.

[DieselDevilDog]

Originally Posted by bubbagulf

Trailers get dinged Ad Valor-am each and every year. Our 2014 3625 runs $400 + each year..... The friendly folks at the Carroll County tax office tried to help as I am a senior and a vet but no luck.

We chewed the same dirt Bubba, senior and a vet also.....all we get is a smile.....................diesel

[mazboy]

you asked about 'assessed value adjusted' you need to get with your motor vehicle dept. and learn the ins and outs of their taxing your trailer.


good luck.

[DebNJim B]

We winter in GA and are considering buying a home there and moving residence there. Running from high NY taxes. We plan to maintain a summer home in NY and now I guess we will keep the 5er registered in NY where we bought it and paid a nice hefty sales tax.

[J Gamble]

DieselDevilDog - I sent you a private message with the amount. Please let me know if you didn't get it. I was told the same thing. The rep told me that it went into effect in 2013. If the vehicle has a motor, it does not have the ad valorem tax (like the one time tax on new vehicles); however, if it is towed, it has an ad valorem tax annually that decreases over time. We didn't have it on our last fifth wheel, so this was a shock. There is a formula used, but I am going to contact them about how they calculated the value.

[J Gamble]

DruryG - I'm not sure how you haven't had to pay the ad valorem on your 5er in the past 2 years. We didn't have to pay the taxes on our last fifth wheel, but was told that it is an annual fee on any fifth wheel since 2013. Motor homes don't have the ad valorem since they are motorized - but any "trailer" (which they are categorizing fifth wheels since they are towed without a motor) are included in the ad valorem taxes. The rep at the motor vehicle office was adamant. Glad you have gotten exempted (: