Can I privately tax a Ford Transit Connect?
I've bought an 04 Ford Transit Connect T200 for private use only. Can I get private insurance and tax? If so how much will it cost?
Paul O Brien (Slane )Feb 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
You can, but as for insurance that’s a piece-of-string question — it depends as much on your own personal record and no-claims bonus than on the car. For tax, I’m assuming that this is a 1.8 TDCi model? If so, that’ll set you back €636 for a year’s tax as a private car.
Is this Audi Q7 from England VAT-free?
Hello,
I’m buying a 3.0 Audi Q7 from England with 27,000 miles on it; is this car VAT-free?
Sean Flynn (Churchtown Dublin )Feb 2020 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Sean,
As long as it’s not less than six months old, you’ll be VAT free. The rule on VAT is that it’s charged unless the car is more than six months old, or if it has less than 6,000km (or miles equivalent) on the clock. As the Audi you’re looking at has done 27,000 miles, then it’s definitely outside the mileage VAT charge, and with that distance covered, I’d guess it must be older than six months, too.
What paperwork needed to tax my van?
I am buying a van for the first time and the van has no current tax disc, but does have a valid CVRT. I would like to tax the van privately. Can this all be done online and do I still have to provide proof that I will be using it commercially some of the time?
D Barden (Carrick On Shannon)Feb 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Deirdre,
No, you should be able to do all that online (although, god knows, a visit to the local motor tax office is still sometimes needed). If you’re taxing it for private use then there’s no need to make any specific declaration that you will be using it for work — that’s taken as read.
How to calculate VAT on a UK import?
If I am buying a new car in the UK and I have to pay Irish VAT, what figure do I use to calculate the VAT? Is it the UK price inclusive or exclusive of VAT converted to Euro?
M Cassidy (Carrick On Shannon)Jan 2020 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Maura,
God knows, the VRT and VAT system is byzantine at the best of times, but according to the Revenue handbook, the VAT charged on an imported vehicle is based on the price paid, converted into Euro. According to the handbook, under the heading ‘Purchase of new vehicles (New Means of Transport) by a private individual from a person in another country’ it says: "The VRT is calculated on the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) of a vehicle, rather than the actual purchase price. The value for calculating VAT is the price charged for the vehicle, converted to Euro where necessary."
Do we pay VAT on UK imports after Brexit?
When the UK exits the EU at the end of this month, will VAT on UK car imports have to be paid from then on?
Many thanks, Fin.
Fin Breatnach (Dublin)Jan 2020 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Fin,
Not just yet, no. When the UK leaves the EU this month it triggers a transition period, which lasts until the end of this year. During that time, the UK will mirror EU rules and regs, until such time as a new free trade deal is signed, or the UK crashes out at the end of the transition period (which looks increasingly likely). After that, all bets are off.
VAT or VRT on N1 to M1 conversion?
I want to purchase a commercial SUV, but I will have to convert the vehicle from an N1 to an M1 category as it will be insured and taxed privately. Am I liable for any VAT or VRT?
Paul Devine (Maynooth)Jan 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
No. If you purchase it as a commercial vehicle, then you will pay the commercial vehicle VRT rate of 13.3 per cent, whether or not you then go on to convert it. There should be no VAT implication either, as you’ll pay the normal VAT rate at the time of purchase. According to Revenue, if you’re converting to M1 status, you only need to make them aware of it if you’re adding seats to the vehicle, but as with all VAT matters, check with your accountant before leaping.
How to change LCV Kuga back to private use?
What is involved in changing a crew cab Kuga back to a privately taxed vehicle? What do you need to do to enable a private insurance policy to apply?
Thanks
Ken Finn (Laois)Jan 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Ken,
In terms of insurance, you simply need to contact your insurer and tell them that you’re going to tax the vehicle for private, social and pleasure use. There may be an increase in your premium because of this, but it shouldn’t be massive. As for the tax, all you have to do is contact your local motor tax office and inform them that you want to tax the vehicle for private use. That will put you onto the old by-engine-capacity tax system, so for a 2.0-litre TDCi Kuga, that’ll be €710 a year.
I want to use a Mitsubishi L200 privately...
Wanting to buy a Mitsubishi L200 for private use.
1: Do I have to insure it commercially or private?
2: Can I tax it privately or does it have to be taxed commercialy (needing proof of business etc)?
Michael Jones (Co. Dublin )Jan 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
You only need to show proof of business use if you’re taxing it purely as a commercial vehicle. If you’re taxing it for private use, then all you have to do is let the local motor tax office know, and they’ll shift you to the old by-engine-capacity tax system. As for insurance, just talk to your insurer or broker and they’ll get your sorted.
Can I tax an SUV private, but insure it as LCV?
Is it possible to tax an SUV privately, whilst insured commercially? To use privately with kids etc outside of work hours?
Alan O Brien (Dublin)Jan 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Alan,
No. You’ll need to show proof of insurance when you tax the vehicle so if you’re taxing it privately, but insuring it as a commercial, then alarm bells might well be raised. Also, if you did have an accident and your insurance company found out that you were playing both sides of the system, you’d probably have your claim denied.
Should a disabled driver buy a new commercial?
I am a disabled driver. Would I be better off to purchase a new five-seat commercial SUV given that I am exempt of VRT and VAT?
Hugh Cormack (Blacklion Co Cavan)Jan 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Hugh,
Sort of, yes. The thing is that there aren’t any five-seat commercial 4x4s anymore — the N1 certification loophole for that kind of car was closed off in 2018, so now five-seat SUVs pay a full rate of VRT. However, if you’re exempt from paying both VRT and VAT then one of those very cars (Toyota Land Cruiser, perhaps? Or maybe a VW Touareg?) would be an ideal car for you as you will be getting one at an effective 50 per cent discount compared to the rest of us. Well worth investigating.