No change to the motor tax regime

Date: 24/08/2010
Posted by: Darragh

PUBLIC CAN BE ASSURED THERE IS NO CHANGE TO THE MOTOR TAX REGIME

There has been no change to the motor tax regime for commercial vehicles and Fine Gael are wrong to suggest otherwise.

While we are clearly in the middle of the silly season for news stories, it still doesn't make it acceptable to misrepresent the facts. The truth is the Department of the Environment issued a circular earlier this month to local authorities reminding them of the rules and regulations regarding motor tax for commercial vehicles. This circular was issued following an increase in the number of vehicles switching from the private to commercial class for motor tax.

The circular did not in any way suggest that there had been changes to the rules and regulations regarding vehicles taxed for commercial purposes or that owners would face new requirements regarding forms or declarations. The circular simply urged local authorities to consistently apply the same rules that have been there for years.

Fine Gael are misleading the public when they say there has been a rise in motor tax for commercial vehicles or that owners will have to prove their vehicle is used for commercial purposes only. The motor tax rate has not changed in any way and the Gardaí will not be going around trying to catch people out in church and shopping car parks around the country. This is clearly untrue.

Let me reiterate one more time, there has been no change to the motor tax regime for commercial vehicles. Fine Gael should get their facts right before they cause unnecessary worry to small business owners and farmers.