Madam, - I am a UK citizen by birth and domicile who has been offered a temporary work contract in your country. Four days after my arrival, I was stopped by a Customs and Excise official, interrogated about my business in the Republic and ordered to register my car for VRT purposes. I was told that if I did not comply, he would impound my car.
Somewhat dumbfounded, I investigated the situation on the Internet, to discover that as my car is less than six months old, I would be subject to VRT as 30 per cent of the book value in the Republic of Ireland.
My response to this draconian ruling is "Thanks, but no thanks". I am returning to the UK forthwith.
Net gain to the Government: nil.
Net loss: approximately €25,000 in tax and PRSI (one year) plus the loss of a highly skilled professional person in your workforce.
Can some enlightened person answer me two questions?
1. Is it me or your Government that is crazy?
2. Is it legal under European law to enforce an internal tax on the private possession (by a UK citizen) of a vehicle which has been brought with UK taxed income and on which UK VAT and road tax have already been paid? - Yours, etc.,
M.S.WHITE-JONES, Verdala Park, Liverpool, England.