Motor Tax Question

Mweelrea

Hey guys,

Just a quick question in relation to taxing a first time car. If a car is off the road and not being driven for the medium term at least, must you still pay tax on it?

I heard recently that you had to pay tax, regardless of whether or not it was in use. Is this true? Any light you could shed on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Max Power1

no tax needed if car offroad.

Atlantis50

No, but the Government plans on changing it so that off-road cars will have to pay tax.

CASH-STRAPPED households will have to pay tax for cars that are "off the road" under controversial plans being drawn up by the Government.

The move to close the loophole that exempts the payment of motor tax when a car is parked up will further anger motorists already facing a range of increased costs after the budget and families who have been forced to take second cars off the road.

http://examiner.ie/ireland/motorists-face-tax-bill-for-off-the-road-cars-177198.html

Doesn't mention in the December 2011 article when it'll be brought in.

DieselPower

Forms available in garda station or else at the bottom of tax form cant quite remember,

the form has to be signed by a garda but they are very helpful and don't ask any questions

Mweelrea

Atlantis50 wrote: »

No, but the Government plans on changing it so that off-road cars will have to pay tax.



http://examiner.ie/ireland/motorists-face-tax-bill-for-off-the-road-cars-177198.html

Doesn't mention in the December 2011 article when it'll be brought in.

Thanks for that. That's what I heard too but as long as it hasn't been introduced then I should be ok for the time being at least

mathepac

DieselPower wrote: »

... the form has to be signed by a garda but they are very helpful and don't ask any questions

The Guards only witness the the owner's signature. The Guards are attesting to nothing (apart from signature made in their presence) so they have no reason to ask questions

Guy:Incognito

Atlantis50 wrote: »

No, but the Government plans on changing it so that off-road cars will have to pay tax.



http://examiner.ie/ireland/motorists-face-tax-bill-for-off-the-road-cars-177198.html

Doesn't mention in the December 2011 article when it'll be brought in.

No they wont. That was a load of old horse ****e the papers ran with on a slow news day based on half a sentence of mumblings by a junior minister or somesuch.

Whats really being looked at is a SORN type system like the UK have.

DieselPower wrote: »

Forms available in garda station or else at the bottom of tax form cant quite remember,

the form has to be signed by a garda but they are very helpful and don't ask any questions

The form you get signed is to declare a car as having been off the road when you are going to tax it again. Theres no provision at the minute to do it in advance.

The reason they dont ask r dont care for the most part is that they are only witnessing you officially declaring it off the road, not confirming it was.

johnwest288

So if the Car has been on the road on a few occasions while not taxed. Is there anyway a Guard could know assuming of course you have not been stopped in the interim or involved in any incidents? Reason I ask is I have a car "off the road" for over 1.5 years. but my mate un-beknown to me took it out on a few occasions to keep the timing belt and car engine from not seizing up. I need to get it taxed as I am going to be using it again full time. I really dont want the guard to say "Oh off the road..... we have that car on our system as being driven on dates X and Y. Is that possible?

CiniO

johnwest288 wrote: »

So if the Car has been on the road on a few occasions while not taxed. Is there anyway a Guard could know assuming of course you have not been stopped in the interim or involved in any incidents? Reason I ask is I have a car "off the road" for over 1.5 years. but my mate un-beknown to me took it out on a few occasions to keep the timing belt and car engine from not seizing up. I need to get it taxed as I am going to be using it again full time. I really dont want the guard to say "Oh off the road..... we have that car on our system as being driven on dates X and Y. Is that possible?

Everything is possible in this world.
When you are filling a declaration that car was off the road, you have to get garda signature, but surprisingly he is not confirming the fact that car was off the road, but only witnessing your signature.
However I'm sure garda can check it, and if he finds out on the system that car was used, he can do you for making false declarations.

Anyway - If I were you, I would just ask myself a question - how likely is it that this car was seen and registered by any garda as being used on those dates X and Y?
If it was only driven 20m out of your house to make sure it won't fall apart while parked, I think it's really unlikely.
If your mate took it for a spin from Dublin to Galway and back, crossed the toll, few patrol cars, and maybe was caught speeding or sth, then chances are way bigger IMHO.

johnwest288

CiniO wrote: »

Everything is possible in this world.
When you are filling a declaration that car was off the road, you have to get garda signature, but surprisingly he is not confirming the fact that car was off the road, but only witnessing your signature.
However I'm sure garda can check it, and if he finds out on the system that car was used, he can do you for making false declarations.

Anyway - If I were you, I would just ask myself a question - how likely is it that this car was seen and registered by any garda as being used on those dates X and Y?
If it was only driven 20m out of your house to make sure it won't fall apart while parked, I think it's really unlikely.
If your mate took it for a spin from Dublin to Galway and back, crossed the toll, few patrol cars, and maybe was caught speeding or sth, then chances are way bigger IMHO.

There was definitle no speeding or anything like that but i have a feeling it was taken on a few occasions. But never outside a 15 mile radius of where its parked up. Think he was using it to run to the shops etc. Do gardai have access to toll records? :eek: I know the guards have on some of their cars machines to read plates that can cross reference it was the road tax database etc. I guess if he said that car was spotted by a patrol car how is he to prove twas me at the controls

Max Power1

johnwest288 wrote: »

There was definitle no speeding or anything like that but i have a feeling it was taken on a few occasions. But never outside a 15 mile radius of where its parked up. Think he was using it to run to the shops etc. Do gardai have access to toll records? :eek: I know the guards have on some of their cars machines to read plates that can cross reference it was the road tax database etc. I guess if he said that car was spotted by a patrol car how is he to prove twas me at the controls

Im not sure, however one would imagine (and hope) so
The guards dont sign to verify that the car was offroad, they sign as a witness to your declaration.

If your declaration is subsequently proven to be false, you can then be prosecuted.

mathepac

All moot anyway as the car was used on the roads, so pay up and look pleasant about it please. What entitles your pal drive on our roads for free?