Anthony Buffum, the Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles for Gwinnett County, spoke at the noon meeting of the Rotary Club of Lawrenceville on Monday, Jan. 14. He informed the group of the changes in vehicle taxes resulting from the passage of HB 386 in 2012. Effective March 1, 2013, new car purchases will include a 6.5% title tax (which will go to 6.75% in 2014 and 7% in 2015). Gone are the sales tax and annual ad valorem tax. He presented a series of PowerPoint slides outlining the effects of this change. He explained that this title tax is to be paid only at the time of purchase, not yearly, and that it applies to all vehicle purchases, including a “casual sale” from one friend to another. Those who retain vehicles purchased before this change will continue to pay the annual ad valorem tax on the vehicle. There is a grace period for those who have recently purchased a new car which enables them to choose the new title tax system, if they want to. Fielding questions from the audience, Mr. Buffum charified points and asked the group to pass along information about these changes. More information is available at www.GwinnettTaxCommissioner.