Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 July 2024
60. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the reason the motor tax office is charging more for the motor tax if it is paid quarterly or twice a year, while we are still in a cost-of-living crisis. [28467/24]
View answerMotor tax is charged in accordance with the law and the rates are a Budgetary matter for the Minister for Finance. In relation to motor tax paid for 3 months or 6 months the charges are set out in S.I. No. 385/1992, as amended.
Regulation 26(1) of that S.I. reads as follows:
26 (1) A licence may be taken out under section 1 of the Act of 1952 for a period of three months or six months ending on the last day of any month in respect of a vehicle (not being a vehicle on which duty is chargeable at an annual rate which is less than €114) on payment of an amount equal to 28.25 percent or 55.5 percent, respectively, of the full annual rate of duty.
These additional changes for motor tax paid for 3 or 6 months have remained generally consistent for many years.
It is not unusual for additional charges to apply when paying for a smaller quantity of something or conversely for a reduction to be applied when paying for a longer period up front. Each half-yearly or quarterly renewal of motor tax involves the same administrative costs as the annual renewal process.
