What's the news?
A significant reduction in motor tax on trucks and vans has came into effect on January 1, with reductions in excess of €4,000 per annum in certain cases. Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, introduced the changes in the last budget. These involved simplifying the 20 rates of commercial motor tax, which ranged from €333 to €5,175 down to just five rates ranging from €92 to €900.
Commenting on the introduction of these new motor taxation rates, Minister for Transport, Paschal Donohoe, said: "These changes come into effect from today and will save many hauliers over €4,000 per year." He added that the new rates "will benefit over 28,500 commercial vehicles."
Although the reduction in motor tax is limited to just commercial vehicles the continuing low oil prices has seen reductions in the cost of fuel for both private and commercial users, with some forecasters predicting no rises due in the near future.
Anything else?
The breakdown of the five new rates of commercial tax are as follows:
€92 for electrical goods vehicles.
€333 for vehicles up to 3,000kg.
€420 for vehicles up to 4,000kg.
€500 for vehicles between 4,000kg and 12,000kg.
€900 for vehicles over 12,000kg.