Does a private buyer pay VAT on a van?
I put down a deposit on a Ford Transit van, I am retired and will only use this van for private use. Do I have to pay VAT? I am not registered for VAT and do not have a business. Can I get the van registration changed for private use?
Brian Blackmore (Tournafulla Co Limerick)Jan 2021 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
You will have to pay the VAT I’m afraid. In fact, you’d have to pay it as a commercial buyer as well, but you could of course reclaim it then subsequently. As a private buyer, you just have to pay it, unfortunately. For using a commercial as a private car, you have to let your local motor tax office know that you’re doing so, and you’ll then pay tax based on the size of the engine, not the CO2 emissions figure. Getting private insurance for a commercial vehicle can be tricky, so shop around carefully or get in touch with a good broker before you commit.
Motor tax on a private 2020 Hilux?
I'm considering buying a 2020 Land Cruiser commercial (currently €333 tax annually). It's the LWB GX Commercial Auto model. It's really for transporting two large dogs. The question I have is, as a PAYE worker, how much am I gonna get landed with for motor tax each year?
Kieran Kelly (Ballyshannon)Jan 2021 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Kieran,
To tax a commercial vehicle privately, it goes by the engine size. Assuming this is the 2.4 (with a 2,393cc engine), then that works out as €1,034 per annum.
Read our Buying a commercial vehicle for private use feature for more.
Looking at buying a van privately...
Hi,
I want to buy a commercial van to use for private use with a possibility of using as a business venture in the future - setting up my own property maintenance business. How do I get a VAT number to tax a van? Can I just apply for a TCC with Revenue?
Danielle Smith (Mullingar)Jan 2021 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Danielle,
Yes, you can fill out a TR1 or TR2 form with Revenue to apply for VAT (depending on whether you’re applying as an individual, a sole trader, or a limited company) and you can find full details on that here. If you’re using the van privately (ie for anything other than journeys solely connected to business), then you’ll have to tax it as a private car, which puts you onto the old by-engine-capacity tax system. You’ll need to notify your local motor tax office that you’re doing this, and your insurer too.
We’ve heard tales from some readers that getting private insurance for a van can be tricky, so shop around, and maybe get in touch with a good broker, first.
In the meantime, have a read of our Buying a commercial vehicle for private use feature.
How old is classic for motor tax?
How old must my (any) car be to qualify for classic motor tax in Ireland?
Thank you.
Maurice Hyland (Dublin)Jan 2021 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Maurice,
A car has to be over 30 years old to qualify. See Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained for full details.
Will my BMW 220i's tax change in 2021?
Hi,
I'm considering buying a car in the UK. It is a BMW 220i and has a 1,998cc engine. I would hope to have it registered in Ireland before the end of Dec 2020. I understand that the motor tax on higher-emitting engines is going to change from 2021, but is it likely that the tax on this car would be increased greatly?
Thank you for your assistance.
Mary
Mary Newe (Dublin)Dec 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
If you do manage to get it registered before the end of this month (if you've not already got a VRT appointment, I'm afraid to tell you that you are unlikely to now) then your car will be taxed on its NEDC CO2 rating, which I believe is 127g/km. That means €270 per annum now and no change for 2021. These guides might be of interest:
About to buy a Nissan X-Trail van...
Hi there,
I am about to purchase a Nissan X-Trail 1.6 two-seat diesel van for private use. What will the annual motor tax be and what mpg should I expect?
Eddie HOWLEY (KILKENNY)Dec 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Eddie,
If you tax a commercial vehicle for private use then it goes by its engine size, regardless of how new it is. The X-Trail's engine is a 1,598cc unit so it costs €514 a year to tax privately. Read more in our Buying a commercial vehicle for private use feature.
As for the X-Trail's economy, it will depend more on how and where you drive it than anything else. The 1.6 diesel car, which is heavier than the van, officially returned about 56mpg. We'd expect you to match that at a 100km/h cruise and maybe average closer to 40mpg unladen for general use.
How to change tax status of a Land Rover?
Hi,
I'm considering buying a secondhand Land Rover within Ireland that has been classed as commercial for tax purposes by the current owner. However, I'd like to use and tax it for private use, which I think can be done by paying the higher rate of tax after purchase. However, I'm a bit stumped as to how to do it! The Revenue forms to change the class of taxation say I should have insurance in order to request a change in the tax class. However I am unable to get insurance for a commercial vehicle in my name. It seems without the insurance I can't change the tax class but I am unable to get insurance based on the current tax class the car is registered in.
Seems a bit of a catch-22, can you help?
Thanks!
Sheila Hopkins (Lifford)Dec 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Sheila,
Well, in theory the only thing you need to do to change the tax status of a car is to call your local motor tax office and tell them that’s what you want to do. As far as insurance is concerned, I think it would be a good idea to have a chat will a well-connected broker, who might be better placed to help you out. You might be able to find a policy that will allow you to insure the Land Rover as a private car even before it has been officially switched over, or possibly one that starts as a commercial policy but changes over once you’ve got the conversion.
Can I buy a VW Transporter in 2021?
I would like to buy a Volkswagen Transporter in 2021. I do not have business or VAT numbers. I know I can insure it privately, but can I tax it privately and if so for roughly what money?
Fiona Moran (DUBLIN)Nov 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Fiona,
It's easy to tax it privately, as well. You just need to inform your local Motor Tax Office of the change of category. The price is then based on the engine size. Assuming it has a 1,968cc engine, then that'll set you back €710 per annum. Read Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained for more.
Tax rules for declaring a vehicle off the road?
What are the rules on declaring a car off road for motor tax purposes?
Gerald Walsh (Cork)Nov 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Gerald,
The declaration can be made online, but it has to be done before the existing tax expires. You need to fill out form RF150 (which you can find here) and return it to your local motor tax office. You don’t need to have it witnessed at a Garda station any more.
Private motor tax on 2012 Peugeot Partner?
Please advise cost of motor tax for a 2012 Peugeot Partner 1.6 diesel (private tax).
Thank you
Aileen Daly (Dublin)Nov 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Aileen,
If you tax a commercial vehicle privately, it goes by its engine size, regardless of its age, so in this case the annual motor tax will be €514.
Full details in our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained feature.