Sorta complicated question about VRT.

DrPhilG

OK, first of all I'm not trying to dodge VRT, just get the best I can from the system without breaking the law! I moved back to Ireland from the North 2 years ago and the first thing I did was re-register my car and paid the VRT on it as I hadn't owned it in the North for long enough. It was an oul banger anyway so not the end of the world.

Anyway, I'm getting married at the end of the summer and the missus is moving down from the North then too. We decided that because she'll be able to bring in 1 motor for free, that we'd change her car now. That way in 6 months time when she moves in she can bring her car in for nowt and we might as well import a nice car for free instead of a heap.

I had been driving her car a few times but Customs stopped me and warned me not to be at it so I'm not driving it at all anymore. I get about on my motorbike, which is Irish reg. This is a bit awkward as it means that any time we're both in the south in her car I can't drive it, even if she's with me. Sometimes she's knackered and would prefer me to drive but not allowed in case we meet the Gardai or customs.

Now the complicated bit, and of course this only occured to me AFTER we splashed out on a nice Hyundai Coupe...

When we bought our house in Ireland 2 years ago, I moved in and she stayed in her Dad's house in the North, (call us old fashioned)... But the house is in both our names as it's a joint mortgage. What proof of residency must she produce when the time comes to transfer? Will they check up and see that her name has been on an Irish address for years and try to say that she's been living there? There have been and likely will be occasions where I'm working a night shift and she does stay over at the house with the car parked outside but few and far between.

According to the revenue's website the VRT on that car would be €3800 so we don't want to get stung with it! Especially as they're way over-valueing the OMSP of the Coupe. They say the value is over €12k but they sell regularly in the autotrader etc for about €8k

Anan1

AFAIK, she'll need to prove that she was living in the North for the required time. This would usually involve proof of rent payment, utility bills in her name, bank statements, etc. I'd advise her to call a VRO here to clarify exactly what they'll need while you still have a bit of time - all you'll get here are guesses.;)

Have a read of this and see if it helps.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055510650

I recently got the VRT exemption. If you have any other questions that I didnt talk about in the other thread ask and I might be able to help.

DrPhilG

Anan1 wrote: »

AFAIK, she'll need to prove that she was living in the North for the required time. This would usually involve proof of rent payment, utility bills in her name, bank statements, etc. I'd advise her to call a VRO here to clarify exactly what they'll need while you still have a bit of time - all you'll get here are guesses.;)

She has bank statements etc in her name at home, and a mobile bill. Daft thing is she also has the Sky bill at my house in her name. Simply because when I moved back down Sky were going to charge me a transfer fee instead of giving me the free install as a new customer. I had to put it in her name so I'd get new customer priveledges.

How does she prove the date that she moves in? Because she'll essentially be transferring the car bang on the 6 months they might check that too. How can we prove that she moved in on exactly xx/xx/09 date and not a week earlier which would leave the car short of the 5 months ownership?

jmc1546

Taken from Citizens information website: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/moving-country/moving-to-ireland/coming-to-live-in-ireland/importing_car_into_irelandExemptions from paying VRT

There are different reliefs and exemptions from VRT. Even if you are not required to pay VRT, you must still register your vehicle when you come to Ireland (see 'Rules' below). The following groups are exempt from paying VRT:

• Certain disabled drivers
• Visitors to Ireland who have owned their vehicles abroad for more than 6 months and who will be resident here temporarily
• People who have owned their vehicles abroad for more than 6 months and who are moving permanently to Ireland
• People posted to Ireland as part of the diplomatic corps

NOTE: If you are moving to Ireland and are among those exempt from paying VRT you cannot sell your vehicle for more than 12 months after the vehicle is registered.



If you are required to pay VRT, then you can sell your vehicle here in Ireland when you wish, once it has been registered. Further information is available from your local vehicle registration office - see 'How to apply' below.




Think it simple answer. But only way to be sure is to ring your local vrt office. I have imported car and they are very helpfull.

DrPhilG

Ayleen Yummy Tick wrote: »

Have a read of this and see if it helps.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055510650

I recently got the VRT exemption. If you have any other questions that I didnt talk about in the other thread ask and I might be able to help.

Thanks, she should have most of that stuff. As mentioned before my only query is about the proof of a permanent return to Ireland. (Or in her case, permanent move rather than return, she's born and bred in the North).

I had thought marriage cert may help but we're getting married before the 6 month limit. But we're then away on honeymoon for 5 weeks so it will be more than 6 months before she actually moves. She will still be working in the North but her bank statments and pay slips will be changing to have the Irish address on them. Should that do?

DrPhilG

DrPhilG wrote: »

Thanks, she should have most of that stuff. As mentioned before my only query is about the proof of a permanent return to Ireland. (Or in her case, permanent move rather than return, she's born and bred in the North).

I had thought marriage cert may help but we're getting married before the 6 month limit. But we're then away on honeymoon for 5 weeks so it will be more than 6 months before she actually moves. She will still be working in the North but her bank statments and pay slips will be changing to have the Irish address on them. Should that do?

Ok, I dug out the form with the list of stuff they accept. Here goes:

1. Details of purchase of property or rental agreement
2. evidence of starting a job, getting a PPS number or signing on
3. opening a bank account
4. connection of house hold services(telephone etc)
5. enrolment of children in school or child benefit application
6. evidence of removal of house hold furniture from abroad

DrPhilG

Going offline now til the morning but feel free to throw any other suggestions or info my way. Need to be sure what constitutes proof of moving to Ireland etc.

ardmacha

This is a bit awkward as it means that any time we're both in the south in her car I can't drive it, even if she's with me.

This is a legal grey area. She could hire a driver to drive her about, provided that it is for her benefit rather than yours.

I wouldn't have thought there was any problem about the moving to the South part, any bank documentation etc would do the trick here. After all if they don;t accept that she is moving to the South then she is still living in the North and so can drive the car on the NI reg! The only issue is likely to be whether she had de facto moved long before, e.g. the Sky bill, the joint mortgage etc.

It was unwise not to have bought the new motor 6 months before the wedding, which is a clear data of legal importance.

DrPhilG

ardmacha wrote: »

The only issue is likely to be whether she had de facto moved long before, e.g. the Sky bill, the joint mortgage etc.

It was unwise not to have bought the new motor 6 months before the wedding, which is a clear data of legal importance.

That's my worry, and I'll phone the VRO tomorrow. I wish we had bought the car a month or so earlier but we both work 2 jobs and trying to plan the wedding leaves little time to be organised.