Can I tax a Hilux commercially for towing horses?
I want to buy a Toyota Hilux, purely for towing a horsebox. I have a car already in my name that will remain as my day-to-day get around. I am floored at the thought of paying over €1,000 tax per year for something that will only be used at the weekends and the odd job of bringing hay and feed up from the co-op.
Is there any way I can commercially tax this? I have an equine herd number and am one of probably the few genuine cases where I will only be using it with a horsebox attached.
Carthach McCarthy (Cork)Sep 2025 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Carthach,
Frustrating as it is, the rules are quite clear from Revenue on this and, if the vehicle is not being used 100 per cent for the purposes of a business, then it must be taxed for private use. The herd number alone won't change that.
If you have a business related to towing horses, and that's the only thing the Hilux would be used for, then you would have a case for getting commercial tax, but if you use it for towing horses for leisure, then I'm afraid not.
Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Advisor