asked the Minister for Local Government what is the present annual rate of taxation of an ordinary farm tractor which is (a) owned by one farmer and (b) owned co-operatively by several farmers; and whether, particularly in view of the opinion expressed by the Interdepartmental Committee on Small Western Farms that co-operative ownership of farm machinery should be encouraged, he will take steps to reduce the taxation on co-operatively owned tractors.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Taxation on Tractors.
21.
The present rate of vehicle excise duty on an agricultural tractor owned by a farmer or by a number of farmers on a co-operative basis and used in accordance with the statutory conditions is £8 per annum. Tractors owned by co-operative societies formally constituted for trade, etc., are taxable at a minimum rate of £31 10s. per annum.
The Finance Bill, 1962, provides for a reduction of the £8 rate to £2 10s. per annum.