Clearing up confusion about tag renewal costs - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

If you have been to the probate office lately you might have noticed your car tag renewal rate going up even though your car keeps getting older.

There's a reason for it. And it all has to do with how much demand there is for your vehicle.

"The standard rule is that it goes down. But there have been some cars in the few years that have gone up in price," says Cathy Mobley, Tag and License Supervisor at the Montgomery County Probate Office.

She says the value for older, used cars jumped a few years ago. Remember Cash for Clunkers?

"It was because of that program these older cars became scarce so that drove their value up."

The tax you pay is first determined by the value of your car.

Mobley admits some older cars are still in high demand simply because people aren't selling cars as quickly as they used to.

While your tag may only go up a few dollars, it catches some folks off guard.

"We do get calls, inquiries and people just don't understand," says Montgomery County Probate Judge Reese McKinney.

McKinney says the state determines car values each year based on an automobile pricing database called Red Book.

The State Department of Revenue then passes those values along to each county probate office.

Folks like Mobley can access that information electronically.

"It's already got it's assessed value in there, so the taxes are already calculated for this particular vehicle," says Mobley.

Another thing folks may not realize, moving could also affect the price of your tag renewal.

"The value stays the same, but the taxes go up and that's because you've moved," adds Mobley.

Mobley says different counties have different tax rates. You could pay more or less depending on where you live--even if the value of your car stays the same.

Probate officials say don't worry, not everyone's car tag fee is increasing.

If you believe you paid more than your car is worth, you do have the option to appeal it.

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