§ 48-5-473 — Returns for taxation; application for and issuance of license plates upon payment of taxes due

(a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, every owner of a motor vehicle subject to taxation under this article shall be required to return the motor vehicle for taxation and pay the taxes due on the motor vehicle at the time the owner applies or is required by law to apply for registration of the motor vehicle and for the purchase of a license plate for the motor vehicle during the owner's registration period. (2) (A) In all counties for which a local Act has not been enacted pursuant to Code Section 40-2-21 , the final date for payment of ad valorem taxes shall be the last day of the owner's registration period and the lien for such taxes shall attach at midnight on the last day of the owner's registration period if the vehicle has not been registered but only if the vehicle is still owned on such date by such owner. (B) In all counties for which a local Act has been enacted pursuant to Code Section 40-2-21 , the final date for payment of ad valorem taxes shall be the last day of the owner's registration period and the lien for such taxes on such motor vehicle shall attach on the first day of the owner's registration period. (C) A motor vehicle shall not be returned for taxation and no ad valorem taxes shall be due, payable, or collected at the time a vehicle is registered during any initial registration period for such vehicle. (D) A motor vehicle shall not be returned for taxation and no ad valorem taxes shall be due, payable, or collected at the time of a transfer of the vehicle. (3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code section to the contrary, under no circumstances shall such ad valorem taxation be collected more than one time per calendar year with respect to the same motor vehicle. (b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this Code section, in the case of an antique or hobby or special interest motor vehicle, as defined in Code Section 48-5-440 , the owner or owners shall certify at the time of returning the antique or hobby or special interest motor vehicle for taxation, paying the taxes due on the motor vehicle, and purchasing a license plate for the motor vehicle or at the time of the first sale or transfer of the motor vehicle that the vehicle is an antique or hobby or special interest motor vehicle as defined in Code Section 48-5-440 , and, upon said certification, said vehicle shall be registered and a license plate issued with the imposition of an ad valorem tax based on $100.00 valuation; provided, however, that taxes shall be due at the time of registration or at the time required by law for registration during the owner's registration period as provided in subsection (a) of this Code section. (c) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this Code section, within the motor vehicle classification of property for ad valorem taxation purposes, motor vehicles held in inventory for sale or resale by an entity which is engaged in the business of selling motor vehicles and which has a current distinguishing dealer's identification number issued by the department shall constitute a separate subclassification of property for ad valorem taxation purposes and shall not be the subject of ad valorem taxation until such time as such vehicles are transferred and until such time as such vehicles then become subject to taxation as provided in this Code section.