A local county councillor has called on the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to freeze motor tax during the current pandemic.
Colr Micheal Mac Giolla Easbuig said a lot of families always facing huge financial burdens could benefit from a freeze.
He said the reality was that very few people are actually driving their cars in the current lockdown.
He said “Motor Tax isn’t cheap and is a financial burden on a lot of families and individuals, as is car Insurance.
“I have been in contact with the council and the department asking that policies for motor tax be looked at to refund motor tax, to cars/vans and lorries that haven’t used their transportation during this emergency.”
The council says that the department has not indicated any change to the current policy on motor tax payments.
However, it says that people can apply to have a freeze put on their car tax but only in specific circumstances.
Below is the response to Colr Mac Giolla Easbuig.
“Dear Councillor Mac Giolla Easbuig,
I write in respect of your recent communication recommending a motor tax ‘freeze’ for the duration of the pandemic.
The Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport have not indicated any change to current policy. However, I have forwarded your recommendations to the Motor Tax Policy Division of this Department for their consideration.
Please note that under the current arrangements that any vehicle licence holder can submit to ourselves at any of the 6 local Motor Tax Offices or online at www.motortax.ie a declaration of non-use of a motor vehicle.(copy attached English agus Gaeilge)
A declaration of non-use must be made during the last month of a current vehicle licence to a licensing authority in advance of the commencement of the proposed period of non-use of the vehicle.
For example: Vehicle owners can submit a declaration of non use in respect of their vehicle at any time during the month of April assuming the Tax on their vehicle expires at the end of April.
There are exceptions in the case of a declaration of non-use immediately following registration of a new/imported vehicle or immediately following purchase of a second-hand vehicle. The declaration must be completed and furnished within 21 days of the date the vehicle was registered.
A vehicle can be licensed any time during the declared period of the non-use. This will terminate the declaration of non-use.
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