Importing a uk car-vrt question

digzy

A few years back someone told me that if someone living in the uk relocated here they can bring over any number of cars and register them here without getting stung for the taxes like the rest of us.

now it sounds a bit unlikely to me but can anyone clarify? A mate of mine is returning here in september after working there for 4 years and am in the market for a decent spec 2nd hand.He's gonna be bringing back his own car anyway. his OH doesn't own a car.
Is there specific criteria to be fulfilled, like having a 2nd car in your own name for a period of time?

I'll apologise in advance if it's a mental suggestion;) especially with the euro loosing value to sterling too.

Gumbo

• he can bring in one car.
• he needs to have owned for 6 months prior to entering ireland (could be 12 months, not sure).
• he needs to bring alot of proof that he resided in the UK - bank statements, insurance certs, council tax receipts, any thing with his name an uk address on it and as much as possible.
• he is then VRT exempt.
• he still has to go through the application proceedure.
• when he gets his irish reg number and log book, the log book is stamped that it cannot be sold/transfer of ownership for 12 months.

corktina

i don't think there is any limit to how many of any item you can bring in with you when you move here, so long as you fulfill the other qualifications. You are entitled to bring your property in tax free and I've never heard of a regualtion stating you can only bring in one car. I'm only guessing here, but surely saying you have to own them for 6 months , or maybe 12 , not sure is a guess too and can;''t be relied on . RING THE REVENUE

Padraig Mor

kceire wrote: »

• he can bring in one car.
• he needs to have owned for 6 months prior to entering ireland (could be 12 months, not sure).
• he needs to bring alot of proof that he resided in the UK - bank statements, insurance certs, council tax receipts, any thing with his name an uk address on it and as much as possible.
• he is then VRT exempt.
• he still has to go through the application proceedure.
• when he gets his irish reg number and log book, the log book is stamped that it cannot be sold/transfer of ownership for 12 months.

Technically, I believe you can sell it no problem, but you must pay the VRT if it is within 12 months of moving to Ireland.

slimjimmc

Read http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vrt/leaflets/tax-relief-transfer-residence.html

digzy

cheers guys, many thanks for clarifying things

Gumbo

corktina wrote: »

i don't think there is any limit to how many of any item you can bring in with you when you move here, so long as you fulfill the other qualifications. You are entitled to bring your property in tax free and I've never heard of a regualtion stating you can only bring in one car. I'm only guessing here, but surely saying you have to own them for 6 months , or maybe 12 , not sure is a guess too and can;''t be relied on . RING THE REVENUE

Well Considering :

You do not qualify for relief from VRT - if you were working abroad on a task of duration of more than one year and you have been granted tax relief in respect of another vehicle in the previous 5 years

Im sure that means you can be VRT exempt on one car, but the second one you try it on will not be valid.

And i can officially confirm that you have had to own it for 6 months while living outside the state

you must have had possession of and have actually used the vehicle outside the State for at least 6 months before your transfer to Ireland

You will be required to produce sufficient evidence to show that you have been living abroad for the required length of time. You will also be required to show that you are taking up residence in the State. The evidence required includes documents relating to:
the acquisition and disposal of property abroad and in the State (e.g. rent agreements, mortgage documents, rent/mortgage payments etc.)
employment abroad and in the State (e.g. payslips, tax records, social welfare records etc.)
other transactions carried out in the course of day to day living (bank statements/transaction documents, bills/receipts for electricity, phone, service charges and other day to day living expenses)
travel records connected with trips into and out of the State
other such evidence as requested in individual cases.

Remember the onus is on you to prove that you were resident abroad for the required period. If the necessary documentary evidence is not furnished, tax relief cannot be granted.

And yes, you can sell within the 12 months but i didnt mention that as i would if thought the whole exemption process would then be fruitless :

You may not sell, dispose of, hire out or lend the vehicle during the 12 months following the date of registration. If you do, the VRT (Customs Duty and VAT if appropriate) must be paid in full.

whippet

my wife brought back two cars with her when she moved back from the UK a number of years ago. There is no limit on the number of cars you can bring back with you once all is above board and you meet the requirements.

However, as we found out the VRT boys tend to be more than just a little suspicious should you be bringing more than one back

hondasam

When I moved back to Ireland I had to have proof of owning the car for six months, proof of address including bills that were over six months old for uk address.
If I sold the car within 12 months I had to pay the vrt on it.