Buying gold in Columbus, GA
Georgia does not charge sales tax on qualifying gold bullion and coins. Jewelry is taxed at the 4% state rate plus any local tax. The combined state and local sales tax rate in Columbus is about 9%.
Gold has one national spot price in US dollars: the prices on this page are the same as on the gold price in the United States page. What differs in Columbus is tax, explained below and on the Georgia page.
Sales tax on gold in Columbus
Not on investment bullion. Gold, silver and platinum bullion and legal-tender bullion coins sold by metal content are exempt. Dealer guides report that palladium, jewelry and rarity-priced numismatic coins are taxed. The combined state and local rate is about 9% here.
Full state rules: gold price and tax in Georgia.
Tax when you sell gold in Georgia
Profits on gold are generally taxed by Georgia like other investment gains, under its income tax rules. At the federal level, the IRS treats bullion and most gold coins as collectibles: long-term gains (assets held more than a year) are taxed at your ordinary rate, capped at 28%, and short-term gains as ordinary income.
Selling gold or gold jewelry to a dealer in Georgia
- License: Dealers in precious metals or gems must register in writing (sworn) for each place of business with the municipal police chief, or outside a city with the county sheriff or county police chief. Fee: a current local business license, or $25 to register and $10 to renew each year. Registration is barred if an employee or stockholder has a felony conviction (with a 10-year exception). Cities may add their own permits (for example McDonough charges a $250 application fee under City Code Chapter 5.48).
- Hold period: 7 days. Dealers may not sell, trade or remove purchased items, or change their form, until at least seven calendar days have passed from purchase (43-37-6(a)(6)). If local police have probable cause to believe items are stolen, they can order the dealer in writing to keep them another 15 days (43-37-6(d)). No exceptions to the 7-day hold are listed in that section.
- What the dealer records: Keep a permanent bound book, in English and in date order with no erasures, recording date and time, buyer's name, seller's name, age and address, the number from the seller's photo ID, a description of the goods with serial or model numbers, the price, any check number and the seller's signature. Keep at least two years and open it to police inspection. Failing to make the written report required by 43-37-4 is a misdemeanor.
- What sellers need: Seller must show a driver's license or similar ID with a photo, and sign the record. Dealers may not buy from anyone under 17 (43-37-6(a)(8)).
- Who is exempt: Dealers buying scrap dental gold and silver from licensed dentists by registered or certified mail may record the postal record instead of the seller's age, ID and signature. Other exemptions are in Section 43-37-7. McDonough's permit covers purchases from anyone other than manufacturers, their representatives or other dealers.
- The law: O.C.G.A. Title 43, Chapter 37, Dealers in Precious Metals and Gems (Sections 43-37-1 to 43-37-7); unlawful acts and hold in 43-37-6.
Dealers report a customer's sale to the IRS on Form 1099-B only for certain forms and quantities, such as 1-kilo gold bars, 1,000 ounces of silver bars or 25 or more Krugerrands or Maple Leafs; American Eagles and smaller lots are generally not reported. Any business that receives more than $10,000 in cash in one transaction or related transactions files IRS Form 8300. Bring a photo ID when you sell.
Tax and duty information last reviewed October 2026. Rules change — confirm with your dealer or tax authority before a large purchase.