MAG Ireland was pleased to hear Finance Minister Michael Noonan announce that there is to be no increase in excise duty on petrol or motor tax in the 2015 budget.
The minister also refrained from adding any additional taxes to diesel fuel and there will be no change in VRT rates.
We are of course disappointed that the luxury rate of VAT continues to apply to personal protective equipment generally and helmets in particular. This long standing policy seriously disadvantages motorcycle accessory retailers in the Republic while the zero VAT rate on helmets remains in place in Northern Ireland.
Commenting on the budget today, MAG Ireland PRO Victor Donnelly said:
There have been substantial increases in motor taxes and fuel duties since 2008 and with the motorcycle sector at rock bottom throughout 2013 we were obviously concerned that any increase in duty on fuel, VRT or motor tax would have torpedoed the fragile recovery we’ve seen thus far in 2014. Of course we’re disappointed that the VAT issue hasn’t been addressed but at least the minister hasn’t made the situation any worse.
Current tax rates are as follows:
- Electric Cycles : €35
- Not Over 75cc : €49
- 76-200cc : €67
- Above 200cc : €88
- Veteran & Vintage : €26
We are regularly asked why motorcycle tax cannot be paid on a quarterly basis. The answer is that the facility to do so only kicks on above the €100 level. Therefore in order to have that option, the motor tax would have to go up by at least €12 for a bike over 200cc. Some things are best left alone.