motor tax arrears

[mcgrath]

Hi. Declared car off road for three months. That ran out two months ago and I completely forgot about it. Now I have to pay two months arrears and tax it for the next three months. Car is still off the road. Anyone know of a way around this? I thought because its a new system there might be some leniency but went to motor tax office and it seems pretty strict...

[Tom]

I don't think there is anymore. Used to be a lot better, the whole SORN thing, but now they are simply making up for years of not giving two sheets.

Try saying "Department of Transport, you used to be cool man".

[Danny(00833827)]

just say the car was sold, the new owner would not be obligated to pay the arrears - would Mrs. Mcgrath be interested in purchasing?

[Garry]

just say the car was sold, the new owner would not be obligated to pay the arrears

Yes they would! Be careful buying a car that has expired tax. Make sure it was delared off the road properly or you will have to pay the arrears. The new rules are very strict! Sorry Mcgrath, the old "fill out a form and get a Guard to sign it" is gone 

https://www.motarviews.ie/ORD/faq

[JimmyM]

just say the car was sold, the new owner would not be obligated to pay the arrears

Yes they would! Be careful buying a car that has expired tax. Make sure it was delared off the road properly or you will have to pay the arrears. The new rules are very strict! Sorry Mcgrath, the old "fill out a form and get a Guard to sign it" is gone 

https://www.motarviews.ie/ORD/faq

I was going to say sell it.
I didnt think the arrears followed the car after the sale.
I had a quick scan through that faq but couldnt see the one which says that the new owner ha to pay arrears - i may have missed it?

[Garry]

Sorry fellas. I assumed the expired tax would carry on to the new owner because I've seen a lot of ads on donedeal stating that a car is declared off the road, and the new owner won't have to pay arrears.

It turns out that the new owner is only liable from the start of the month they buy the car. It's just easier if the car is declared off the road properly.

http://www.completecar.ie/askusanything/question/1118/Am-I-liable-for-a-cars-expired-tax-if-I-buy-it

[LordEoin]

So sell the car to SWMBO!

[Chris]

1. The arrears follow the car.
2. Always declare vehicle off the road for the maximum time allowable. There are no penalties for putting the car back on the road early but you must notify the tax office or you will find yourself being prosecuted for making a false declaration, no tax and the car will be seized should you be stopped.
3. The link above is from Jan 13 and was before the change in the legislation. The attitude now is if a vehicle is not declared off the road then the tax must be paid.
4. The idea is to eventually to follow the English model. If a vehicle shows up on the system as out of tax then a summons will automatically issue to the registered owner.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

[johnrm]

I have a motorcycle to sell to swmbo :-(

[mcgrath]

Thanks the advice lads. I reckon I'm goosed. Oh well! Wish I'd just declared it off longer. Lesson learned...

[DEMPSEY]

So I have a car that is off the road ATM and I am going to sell it from next week when it completes it's NCT. The current tax is up at the end of February. If I don't sell it before then should I have it declared.

[LordEoin]

if you ask me it's disgraceful and almost illegal.
forcing people pay for something they don't use.

Next I'll have tesco banging on my door demanding money for a lifetime of tampons because I never declared that i won't want or use them...

[Chris]

So I have a car that is off the road ATM and I am going to sell it from next week when it completes it's NCT. The current tax is up at the end of February. If I don't sell it before then should I have it declared.

if you are not going to be driving it declare it off the road for 12months. If your worried about test drives as long as you can show you are trying to sell the car and the person driving is a potential buyer there should be no problem. Just ensure the person is insured to drive.

If you are going to drive it while your waiting for a sale tax it. It's just not worth the risk.

[Chris]

^ Doesn't matter who's test driving it, if it's caught out on the road before it changes hand then you're done for it.

Having said that the last time I had my discs checked was 2007.

it is true both the driver and owner can be prosecuted but normal practice would be to just prosecute the driver unless the car is registered to a company. Then the company are also prosecuted. Luckily Gardai are still allowed to exercise discretion and common sense in relation to prosecutions. This may change depending on the outcome of the current hearings at the public accounts committee in relation to penalty points. Or you could just be unlucky and meet a pr!c* unfortunately they exist in every organisation.

[LordEoin]

to me it just sounds like a big plan to get more money from the honest working folk of the country. so that they can fluff their paychecks and pensions.
I should have gone into politics, money for nothing and your chicks for free