Why is one Nissan more expensive to tax than the other?
Why is a Nissan Premium SV cheaper than SV in road tax (€180 and €270, respectively) in Ireland?
Conor Lyons (Cork)Aug 2025 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Conor,
The information you've provided suggests that the Premium SV model emits 81-100g/km, while the SV emits 121-130g/km. It sounds to us like you're comparing cars with different engines completely.
Can I avail of the Transfer of Residence process?
Hi,
I'm moving back to Ireland after five years living in the UK and want to avail of the Transfer of Residency VRT exemption.
I am also registered in Ireland as a sole trader in the motor trade and complete Irish VAT and income tax returns annually. The Irish work is mostly vehicle repairs which I sub out to a third party and occasionally fly home myself to complete the work.
Do you think this will impact my chances and should I put all the vehicles (three of them) into my partner's name who has no affiliation with Irish tax system or the motor trade?
Appreciate any advice you may have as it's not clearly laid out by Revenue.
Thank you
Patrick (London)Jul 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
This is quite a unique situation so I'd suggest the best thing to do is talk to Revenue. My feeling is that you should be fine so long as your permanent place of residence has been the UK, regardless of your business interests in Ireland. You'll just need paperwork to show that.
The complication with transferring the vehicles to your partner is that they must be owned for at least six months before the move, so if you're not moving back for a while it's a possible option. Make sure you read all the rules carefully though.
Which tax rate for an imported 2004 Toyota Hilux?
Hi,
I hope to import a 2004 Toyota Hilux 2.4 D-4D from the UK. Can you tell me if I would pay motor tax by engine size? Or would it be classed as being first registered upon the year of import, say next year, therefore I'd pay motor tax based on its emissions?
Denis Mcgrath (TIPPERARY )Jul 2025 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Denis,
Regardless of its year, as the Hilux is a commercial vehicle, if you want to tax it for private use, then it's according to its engine size. If you are using it for a business then it can be taxed as a commercial.
Why is my motor tax so high on my Audi A4?
Why is my motor tax 600 Euro and similar car is €280? The dealer told me it would be around €400. The plate is 151 LH 4456.
Jurgen Smith (Clogherhead)Jul 2025 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Jurgen,
According to our figures, your car's CO2 emissions (it's a 2015 Audi A4 saloon 1.8 petrol) are in the 156-170g/km range according to the old NEDC system.
For such cars, registered before January 2021, the tax band is D, costing €600 a year.
A car registered after that date with a WLTP rating of 151-160g/km would cost €280 a year and the €400 rate you mentioned is for cars with an emissions rating of 141-155g/km so perhaps the dealer was mistaken.
Can I import a Land Rover Defender as a commercial?
I am looking to import a Land Rover Defender 110 or 90 from the UK as they are significantly cheaper over there. I however do not want to pay a huge amount of VRT. Can it be brought in as a two-seat commercial and only pay the €333 rate?
Alex Ryan (Dublin )Jul 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Alex,
If the vehicle is indeed a two-seat commercial then yes you can import it as that and pay just 13.3 per cent of the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP). The €333 rate you refer to is the annual motor tax rate for commercials, which is only available for those using their vehicles for zero private use whatsoever.
Do I pay VAT on importing a car from Northern Ireland?
Hi,
I would like to know if I have to pay VAT if I import a used vehicle from Northern Ireland into the Republic.
Do I need to pay extra tax due to Brexit?
Christine (Tralee)Jul 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Christine,
It sounds like you're new to this, so it may be worth reading our Guide to importing a car from Northern Ireland feature.
In summary, whether you have to pay VAT and import duty depends entirely on the circumstances of the car in question. If the car was registered new in NI and used there (and is now over six months old) then no VAT etc payable.
Same thing for a car imported from the rest of the UK to the North, registered and used there for "a reasonable amount of time" according to Revenue.
The ones to watch out for are cars brought in by a dealer in the North purely to be sold on, without properly importing it first.
The dealers in the North should know what paperwork you need to show Revenue, but always check for yourself.
And finally, no matter what, you will be liable for VRT and the NOx levy.
Do I pay tax arrears on a 1976 VW Beetle?
I purchased a 1976 VW Beetle that has not been taxed in 20 years. Do I have to pay all the back tax on it?
Liam Connolly (Letterkenny)Jul 2025 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Bill,
No, you are only responsible for the tax from the moment you take ownership of a car.
What's the V3 document reference number on a UK logbook?
A Republic of Ireland buyer wants to buy my car located in the north of Ireland. They are asking for a V3 number on a log book. What is this? And is this necessary for the sale for them to bring the car over?
Jess (Letterkenny)Jul 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Jess,
It's just the document reference number on your logbook (or V5C), found on the top-right corner of the front page, an 11-digit number.
There is nothing unsafe about providing this number to the seller. They may be able to use it to calculate taxes etc. on importing the car.
I want a van for private use. How do I do that?
I want a standard van, Renault Trafic for example. I want to use it to travel through France and Spain carrying two e-bikes, two rollators, two dogs, luggage and my wife - we are both retired. I want to put some carpet in the back and sometimes, when needed, sleep there. I do not intend to transport goods, provide services or camp everywhere. How can I make this happen?
Ronnie Koon (Frenchpark Co Roscommon )Jun 2025 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Ronnie,
On the face of it, that's not difficult. You just buy a van you like the look of and inform your motor tax office that it will be used privately. The motor tax then changes to a rate defined by the van's engine size (regardless of how new it is).
Your bigger challenge could be finding insurance, and I urge you to check that out before committing to buying any vehicle.
Private motor tax on a 1.5-litre Dacia Duster commercial?
Hi,
I would like to tax a 2022 Dacia Duster 1.5 diesel commercial for private use. What motor tax will I pay?
Thank you
George (Frenchpark Co Roscommon )Jun 2025 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi George,
The rate in this situation is defined by the engine size. For the 1.5-litre Dacia, it will cost €413 per year.