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.

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.

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:

BMW X5 xDrive45e hybrid review

How Much VRT is Paid in Ireland?

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

How Much VRT is Paid in Ireland?

Guide to Importing Cars from the UK

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:

Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained

Guide to Importing Cars from the UK

Expert answer

Hi Dermot,

If the car is already registered, or will be before the end of 2020, then it will be taxed according to the old system, and will continue to be even after 2021. That would be in Band A3, costing €190 per annum.

If a new car is registered after 1 January 2021 with emissions of 109g/km then its annual tax will actually be a little less, at €180 per annum.

Read our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained feature for full details.

Expert answer

Hi John,

For a petrol car, the new CO₂ rating = (old NEDC rating x 0.9227) + 34.554g/km
For a diesel car, the new CO₂ rating = (old NEDC rating x 1.1405) + 12.858g/km

Expert answer

Hi Larry,

You're not the only one confused, believe me!

Looking at the Toyota Ireland website, we can see that that WLTP CO₂ emissions rating for that car is 131g/km. That means it will fit into the new 131 - 140g/km band, costing €210 per annum.

Read our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained feature to see all the tax bands and schemes.

Expert answer

Hi Dorothy,

It really depends on the specific version you are looking at. Some cars will go up in price, but conversely, some will drop in price. Come back to us with as much detail as possible on the specific model you are looking at so we can find its CO₂ and NOx emissions ratings and do the calculations.

Expert answer

Hi Maeve,

Assuming your car is taxed according to its engine size, then there will be no changes to its taxation from January 2021. If it's taxed according to its CO₂ emissions, it's possible that there will be a small increase, but nothing drastic. We don't have the full details of the new motor tax scheme as yet.