How to work out the VRT paid on a car?
Can I find out how much VRT was paid on a car?
Paul Hickey (Blarney)Oct 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
Only if you've got the original invoice as far as we know. Other than that you'll have to make an estimate based on the car's CO2 emissions rating and its total Open Market Selling Price. See our How Much VRT is Paid in Ireland? feature for more details on how to do this calculation.
Can you clarify 2021 EV taxes for business?
Hi,
My question relates to the 2021 Budget and the changes relating to BEV purchases as a company car. The information provided by the Government was particularly vague and I'm hoping that you can assist.
The proposal is to reduce the VRT rate from 14% to 7%; however it's unclear if the VRT rebate of €5,000 will remain for 2021 as there is mention of a reduction in this for cars over €40K, which basically includes the majority of normal BEVs as I believe it'll be on the OMSP. Do you know will there be any changes to the 0% BIK as I can't find any reference to this in Revenue documents, except for previous pre-2021 budget clarifications that the 0% BIK would be in place for BEVs purchased by the 31st December 2020.
Regards, Joe Boyle.
Joseph Boyle (Dublin)Oct 2020 Filed under: business
Expert answer
The short answer Joe is that we don’t actually know.
Officially, the Government is saying that the VRT rebate for electric cars will remain, but will be effectively replaced by the new seven per cent VRT band for the lowest-emissions vehicles. As you point out, that relief is reduced when the car has a price tag of above €40,000 — it chops the VRT rebate in half. Stray above €50,000 and there’s no more rebate at all. For now, the SEAI grant of €5,000 remains in place but that will be phased out over time. How much time and how much phasing? We don’t know yet.
The zero-rate Benefit-in-Kind tax remains in place up to the end of 2023, and will quite possibly be renewed in the Budget for that year, but no announcement has yet been made.
As far as the rebate is concerned, most of the Irish importers are now scrambling to try and adjust their prices, and indeed are in negotiation with the European and global head offices so that, come January, the current rebate-inclusive prices will remain more or less in place under the new system.
Basically, and not for the first time, the whole motor tax system has been thrown up into the air and we’re all scrambling to understand it fully before it comes crashing back down.
Keep an eye on our How Much VRT is Paid in Ireland? feature for more as it happens.
Will the BMW X5 hybrid's VRT drop in 2021?
Hi,
The BMW X5 plug-in hybrid emits 77g/km and is 14 per cent VRT rate. Will this go down to 9 per cent VRT in January 2021?
Thanks
John, Cork.
John Daly (Cork)Oct 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi John,
If you have that 77g/km right, then yes, that's absolutely correct. See our How Much VRT is Paid in Ireland? feature for full details.
NOx rating for 1992 Mercedes 190E?
Hi,
What's the NOx of a 1992 Mercedes 190 E petrol 2.0-litre?
Brian Byrne (Naas)Oct 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
I'm afraid we have no way to reliably get that figure and, if a car is presented for inspection without acceptable proof of the figure, the maximum will be assumed. That maximum is €600 for a petrol car. Bear in mind that, in 2022, that car would be considered a classic and would not be subjected to the NOx levy if imported and registered then.
Read our How Much VRT is Paid in Ireland? feature for more.
VRT on a new BMW X5 xDrive45e in 2021?
Hi,
Will VRT on a new BMW X5 xDrive45e M Sport be 7% with the new budget figures?
Thanks
Jim
Jim Doyle (Dublin )Oct 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Jim,
Yes it will. The WLTP-ratified CO2 emissions figure for that car is below 50g/km, so it sits in the lowest VRT band, at seven per cent of the OMSP.
Relevant links:
Looking at a BMW i8 import, now or in 2021?
I am looking at possibly purchasing a plug-in hybrid car imported from the UK (possibly registered Jan 2019). Its CO2 is 46g/km and NOx is 11mg/km. It is costing £63k Sterling and Revenue is estimating €99,000 for a BMW i8 Roadster less 33% deprecation.
If purchased before end of December there is 14% VRT (€11,600 approx.) and I believe there is a rebate of €2,250. How is this claimed back as a private individual?
If registered in January there is only 7% VRT; is this correct? So in theory less expensive in January 2021?
All presuming Brexit does not happen. If Brexit happens what is additional surcharge? Is it 10% on all UK imports over and above VRT?
Thanks for any info that would clarify above
Regards David
David Fleming (Dublin)Oct 2020 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi David,
You're right, the VRT bands change for cars registered after 1 January 2021 and a car with CO2 of 46g/km would attract VRT of just seven per cent then. However, if that's a NEDC figure, Revenue will 'uplift' it with its own formula to what it calls 'WLTP-equivalent', which in this case would be 77g/km. The VRT rate would therefore be nine per cent.
Who knows when it comes to Brexit? Anything could happen, couldn't it? A no-deal Brexit could mean 10 per cent surcharge (calculated on the cost of the car and shipping) plus VAT on top of that as well.
A few relevant links for you:
Should I register my imported pickup now?
Hi,
I’m looking to buy a Toyota Hilux Active Double Cab pickup, a 3.0-litre automatic from Northern Ireland for £15,000. Would it benefit me to register it in Ireland before Jan 2021? Also, I’m using it for my business. How much will motor tax cost annually? I do not know what the NOx emissions are or where to obtain them.
Regards Donal Slattery
Eamon Slattery (Co Galway)Oct 2020 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Eamon,
If you're buying and registering this as a commercial vehicle, with no private use, then it doesn't matter if you do it now or after 1 January 2021, as commercial vehicle tax and VRT have not changed. See below for more information:
Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained
Motor tax on BMW 730d on new 2021 system?
How much will it be to tax a 2017 BMW 730d diesel on the new system?
Thank you
Con O Callaghan (Cork)Oct 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Con,
Assuming that the car is registered here already, and that it has CO2 emissions of 132g/km, there will be no change for 2021. The car is already in Band B2, costing €280 per annum.
However, if this car were to be imported and registered after 1 January 2021, its CO2 emissions rating would be 'uplifted' to 163g/km, meaning annual motor tax of €420.
See below links for more:
Private motor tax on a VW Amarok?
What is the cost of private tax on a Volkswagen Amarok 160hp?
Gerry Clancy ( Kilrush Clare )Oct 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Gerry,
Used privately, commercial vehicles are taxed according to their engine size. That's not too bad if you're talking about the older 2.0-litre version of the Amarok, which would cost €710 to tax privately. But if you're referring to the newer model with the 3.0 V6 TDI engine, then I'm afraid it's going to cost €1,494 a year instead. Full details can be found on Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained and Buying a commercial vehicle for private use.
Cost of a new Mazda MX-5?
What would be the total cost of a new Mazda MX-5 GT and will there be any for sale here in Ireland before the end of the year?
The Mazda dealers and Mazda Ireland are not very upfront with this information. You would think that they would be hungry for sales and especially on a model that is the flagship of the brand.
Anthony Byrne (Cork)Oct 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Anthony,
My contact within Mazda Ireland responded:
"There is currently one MX-5 in stock from what I can see here and it happens to be a black RF GT. Otherwise dealers can order an MX-5 in as special order to whatever colour and spec the customer would like. The prices for a GT (roadster / RF) are as follows if a customer was to purchase one now. Prices will go up by €270 by November, however:
Roadster GT - €33,645
RF GT - €36,145
Mazda MX-5 pricing and details can be found on Mazda.ie."