Commercial vehicle tax condemned as 'anti-small business'
The Government and in particular the Green Party, has come under increasing criticism following last week's revelation that Motor Tax Offices around the country will be strictly following guidelines for commercial vehicle taxation.
Following a circular sent by the Department to County Tax Offices on August 10th, Motor Tax Offices have cracked down on those attempting to tax their vans and 4x4s commercially, demand that customers now fill in an updated declaration form stating they will not use their vehicle for anything other than business use.
The revised form also requires customers to produce proof of a business via a revenue recognised business number and staff at the Motor Tax Office can also request additional evidence such as a tax clearance certificate, a VAT number or trade/ business insurance.
Cllr John McCartin has described the situation as "anti-small business, anti-employment and anti-rural" and said forcing owners of commercial vehicles to sign a "Goods Only" declaration will criminalize simple household errands and may invalidate insurance for thousands of drivers.
Fine Gael Deputies, Denis Naughten and Frank Feighan have also slammed the Minister following last week's announcement and say they have been inundated with calls from families, business people and young people who are already struggling to make repayments without the fear of additional motor tax costs.
Leitrim IFA County Chairperson, Michael McGovern, said the Goods only Declaration has sent a "shock wave through rural Ireland".
"Farmers are now fearful that the use of a van or jeep to collect a child from school or do the weekly shopping could be deemed a criminal act," he said and he added he is not convinced by the Department of the Environment statement that the "owners of vehicles currently taxed for commercial purposes face no additional requirements regarding forms or declarations."
"it is obvious that the Government is urging County Councils to tighten the rules on commercial vehicles. This would put unbearable pressure on farm families and rural businesses," maintained the Co Leitrim Chairperson who said he was now calling for greater clarification on the requirement.
Local Green representative, Garreth McDaid, however, has denied there has been any change to the law regarding the taxation of motor vehicles.
"The idea that the Gardai are somehow going to be checking vans at GAA matches and issuing fines is a total fabrication. Nothing could be further from the truth," he claimed.
"All that has happened here is that the motor tax unit in the Department of the Environment sent a letter to Local Authorities reminding them that Goods Declarations needed to be produced for persons registering smaller vehicles for commercial tax. This has always been a requirement."
"The manner in which this perfectly reasonable move has been portrayed in the national media and by opposition parties is both ridiculous and worrying. It now appears that facts are not a necessary part of public debate, and that provided a claim makes for a good soundbyte, whether or not it is accurate is completely irrelevant."
His claims have been rubbished by Cllr John McCartin who maintained the declaration "does prohibit the use of commercial vehicles for Any personal activities including hospital or doctor visits, mass, church, school runs or stopping off at the shops".
"At next Monday's sitting of Leitrim County Council, I will be asking my colleagues to support a call on Minister Gormley to scrap this ludicrous declaration."
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Weather for Carrick-on-Shannon, Ireland
Thursday 17 May 2012
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