Campaign grows for scrapping tax on imported cars
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VEHICLE Registration Tax (VRT) was introduced for Irish motorists in 1993 as a measure to replace Irish excise duty charges that were no longer possible in the EU single market.
The tax has been applied to every car, new or used, that has been imported since then.
VRT on all cars is calculated as a percentage -- up to 36pc -- of the "open market selling price" rather than the price at which the the vehicle is bought.
Driving an imported vehicle without paying VRT can lead to the impounding of the vehicle, with fines and penalties for the driver.
But there has been strong resistance to the Revenue's crackdown on unregistered cars in Border areas -- where the problem is most prevalent.
More than 11,700 people have joined a Facebook group called 'Ban VRT Now' since the drive began in Donegal four months ago. It has received the unanimous cross-party support of members of Donegal County Council.
- Michael Brennan
Irish Independent
