Should I bring a car with me from England?
If I move to live in Ireland from England is it a good idea to bring my car with me or should I buy over there?
Russell Drake (Bolton )Feb 2021 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Russell,
If you like your current car then it’s definitely a good idea to bring it with you. Importing a vehicle as part of a change of address means that you won’t have to pay Vehicle Registration Tax, which is a significant saving. All you need is proof of the change of address, and proof of at least six months’ tax and insurance at your previous address.
Read our Guide to Importing Cars from the UK feature for more.
Motor tax for my Nissan Qashqai?
What is the motor tax for my car, a 2012 Nissan Qashqai petrol?
Michael Richards (Fetcham Leatherhead)Feb 2021 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
I’m assuming that’s the 1.6 petrol engine, with a five-speed manual gearbox? If so, that has CO2 emissions of 155g/km, which will mean motor tax of €390 per year.
Will I buy a car in UK before moving home?
Hi there,
I read your excellent article on importing from the UK with the new rules. I'm Irish, living in UK but moving back home next August. I'm looking at buying here and bringing it home, and could buy now or closer to August. I see that I would owe a NOx levy, VRT of probably 31% OMSP for the model I want, plus 10% customs plus 21% VAT, so a minimum of 62% of OMSP. Seems totally prohibitive but I understand the rationale.
My question is - does having the car and owning it here for more than six months affect the VAT and customs duty? If I had owned a car here and was moving across to Ireland would I still need to pay 60% plus of the car's market value just to register it in Ireland?
Regards
A
A Rogers (London)Feb 2021 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Ailin,
OK, I think the best advice is to buy as soon as you possibly can. According to Revenue, you MAY be able to claim exemption on VRT, VAT and customs duty if you’re bringing your car in as part of a permanent move. You need to have owned the vehicle for ‘at least six months’ so being as we’re into February already, the clock is ticking. Make sure you keep every receipt and proof of address, road tax and insurance (and maybe keep them for the car you have now too, just to extend the paper trail).
Can I pay the old import taxes etc. pre-2021?
Hi.
If a car was already brought into this country in November/December from the UK, will the new import duties and VAT apply when re-registering the car in Ireland or will it be under the old system as it was imported prior to December 31?
Sylvie Morrison (Dublin)Feb 2021 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Sylvie,
Unless there are extenuating circumstances, the taxes etc. are calculated when the car is presented for inspection. So, I'm afraid you're likely to have to pay the new fees. On top of that, you're supposed to inform Revenue of the car's importation within seven days and book an inspection within 30 days. Failure to do that means a fine. That fine increases the longer you wait, too, so don't delay any further.
Can I get commercial tax?
I am thinking of buying a Ford Ranger. While I won't use it for work purposes, I keep horses and need a vehicle for towing. Can I get commercial tax on these grounds?
Gerard Kelleher (Limerick)Feb 2021 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Gerard,
No, it doesn't sound to me that you can. However, you can change the status of the vehicle from commercial to private. Just call your local motor tax office to do that. You'll pay tax based on the engine size, though, which can be expensive. And, perhaps more troublesome, it's not always easy for a private individual to insure what was previously registered as a commercial vehicle. Do some ringing around before you commit to it.
Read Buying a commercial vehicle for private use for more
How much to tax a Ranger privately?
How much will I pay to tax a 2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrak 2.0 manual for private use?
Paul Kelly (Dublin)Feb 2021 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
It goes by the engine size when you're taxing a commercial vehicle privately, so it works out as €710 per annum for that Ranger. Read these for more info:
So a Hilux taxed privately is by engine size?
Do I understand correctly that if I tax a two-door, two-seat brand new Toyota Hilux as private, it's taxed per the engine size of 2,393cc, not per the CO2 emission rating?
Thank you.
Martin Heff (Tipperary)Feb 2021 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
That's 100 per cent correct. It would make the Hilux €1,034 per annum to tax. More reading for you, though it sounds like you already know your stuff:
How much to tax my old MINI?
My MINI will be 20 yrs old next year. It’s a petrol 1.6-litre; how much tax do I pay please?
Thank you
Margaret Diskin (Galway)Feb 2021 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Margaret,
Same as before — €514 for a full year on an engine sized between 1,501- and 1,600cc. If you were thinking that vintage or classic tax might apply, sadly you’ll have to wait another ten years. Vintage status doesn’t kick in until the car is 30 years old.
How to go about taxing a van privately?
I’ve got a 2010 Citroen Dispatch 2.0-litre van and I’m just wondering how I go about getting it taxed privately for the first time and how much it would be?
David Mc Tiernan (Roscommon )Feb 2021 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi David,
The actual process of changing the tax status on a van from commercial to private use is relatively straightforward — you simply ring up your local motor tax office (you’ll find your nearest one here: https://www.gov.ie/en/service/1fc151-find-your-local-motor-tax-office/) and tell them what you want to do. They’ll then shift you onto the old engine capacity-based tax system (you’ll pay €710 a year for a 2.0-litre engine) and the job’s done.
Except it isn’t, quite. You will need proof of insurance first, and insurers are — for some reason — reluctant to switch policies over. It’s worth finding a good local broker to help you get the insurance sorted out first of all.
Read Buying a commercial vehicle for private use for more info.
How to change a Range Rover Sport's status?
Hi guys,
I am looking to buy a 2013 Range Rover Sport, a 3.0-litre diesel that is currently designated as a business commercial vehicle with €333 tax. There are five seats and no VAT on the sale off the vehicle. Once purchased, I wish to tax it privately and also insure it privately as a passenger car. Can you outline this process and if it’s straightforward and possible?
Thanks
Frank
Frank Mitchel (Dublin)Feb 2021 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Frank,
The process of taxing it is relatively straightforward — just ring up your local motor tax office (list here: https://www.gov.ie/en/service/1fc151-find-your-local-motor-tax-office/) and ask them to switch you over. The problem is twofold — with a 3.0-litre Range Rover Sport, you’re going to be paying the second-highest rate of motor tax (€1,494 per year) because a commercial re-registered for private use is taxed on the old engine capacity-based tax system. Insurance can also be a major issue — it shouldn’t be, but it is, so get hold of a good local broker to help you navigate those waters before you take the leap.
Read Buying a commercial vehicle for private use for more information.