Motor Tax Collection

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2015

Tuesday, 10 November 2015

Questions (514)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

514. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a rebate or compensation will be given to haulage companies which have to tax their vehicles in either November or December 2015, thereby missing out on the tax relief for the first two months of 2016 under the recently announced tax reduction for heavy goods vehicles, which is set to begin in January 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39134/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The rates of motor tax announced in Budget 2016 apply to vehicle licences with a commencement of 1 January 2016 or after i.e. from whenever motor tax is due for renewal after that date. I have no plans to introduce compensation for owners who have taken out a vehicle licence at the old rates between the announcement in the Budget and the effective date of the new rates. In respect of articulated heavy goods vehicles, following a Court of Appeal judgment of 21 October 2015, the rate of tax currently applicable to articulated heavy goods vehicles, pending fuller consideration of the implications of the judgement and the appropriate response to it, is now set at €94 for a quarterly disc (based on an annual rate of €333). This is less than the equivalent quarterly rates for the annual rates announced in the Budget which will be €141 for quarterly discs for goods vehicles up to 12,000 kgs and €254 quarterly for goods vehicles in excess of that weight.