Declan Moran believes that the tractor tax should be reconsidered and that after a bad five years, the government should be giving something back to farmers, not charging them more.

Tax on vintage tractors unfair, say enthusiasts

Published: Tue 24 Sep 2013, 4:54 PM

The man men behind the Vintage Tractor Rally at the Townspark Vintage and Field Day, which this year raised more than €2,000 for charity, believes the tax revenue from the diesel used to drive tractors should be enough for the government.

“The vintage tractor is all about history for old people and is a hobby,” said Declan Moran, an enthusiast.

“They probably wouldn’t even do 15 miles a year in them. The diesel they put in them should be tax enough.

“This should be reconsidered. Farmers have had a bad five years with the weather and everything. The price of diesel has doubled. Why not give them a break about the vintage tractors.

“This is really another expense on older people and on people living in rural Ireland at a time when they should be giving back to get things going again,” said Declan.

A new tax regime has been introduced that means vintage tractors will need to registered, taxed and as of October 1, farmers will not be able to retrospectively declare the vehicles as off the road.

Gardaí have started to take a much tougher stance on farmers that drive untaxed machines on public roads in recent weeks and everything from tractors to combines is being stopped and, in some cases, impounded for not being properly taxed.

“It is not just about the tax or the back tax. It is everything. For a lot of people, these are vehicles they inherited and the old brown tax book is as important and as valuable to them as the tractor. They are important, valuable, historic documents. If they have to do this they will have to hand over their old brown tax book and get a new tax book and that would be a shame,” said Declan.

More than 80 vintage tractors from in and around Castlepollard took part in the rally Declan organised to help raise money for the Jack and Jill Foundation, money that will be used to help families in the same are it was raised.

“For these men, it is a hobby. They are keeping great skills alive – rural Ireland skills of make do and mend. They come to events like the rally to share information, meet and discuss their vintage tractors. They also raise funds for charities that often survive on charity and little or no government support.” Declan also believes it will be difficult for people to fill in the forms.

“The identity is based on the chassis number. In some of these machines the number is unreadable, all pitted and damaged. It is putting people in a real predicament and they are really worried about it. Also many of these tractors are made up of bits and pieces and stuff picked up here there and everywhere.”

Martin Smith has a 165, 250, 20TVO and a 290. For the uninitiated, they are vintage tractors.

“It is not just an expense, it is an inconvenience,” says Martin. “People are now going to have to find paperwork dating back 30, 40 years. That is the kind of thing that gets lost through the years. People are worried – about the back tax and about trying to find the documents they need.”

For tractors that are never on a public road, owners can fill in an RF150 form at a garda station to declare the vehicles are off road.

“This was never an issue before. It was simply not enforced on vintage tractors but we are hearing now about tractors and even combine harvesters being pulled over and their tax checked. We need to understand more about the paperwork,” said Martin.