Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 May 2022
224. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport if he will give consideration to abolishing the extra administrative charges applied to motorists who renew their motor tax every three or every six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27178/22]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, motor tax can be paid on an annual, half-yearly or quarterly basis. Quarterly or half-yearly renewals impose an additional cost to process and administer. The rate applicable to the half-yearly option is 55.5% of the annual rate, and, for the quarterly option, 28.25% of the annual rate. These ratios have remained generally consistent since the 1960's. The loss of income that would arise from equalising rates for these options would have a negative impact on motor tax revenue and would have to be borne elsewhere in the motor tax system or in the taxation system generally. The potential loss to the Exchequer has been estimated at just over €37m, based on the volume of transactions in 2021. Given the sum involved, any proposed change is a matter for consideration in the context of Budget preparations.
