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Proposed new motor tax system will be payable online

The Environment & Infrastructure Committee is assuring islanders that even if the proposal to reintroduce an annual motor tax is approved by the States next month, there will be no return to motorists having to queue up to buy tax discs.

P&R’s tax package will see a new motor tax introduced at an average cost of £132 per vehicle, coupled with a reduction in fuel duties.
P&R’s tax package will see a new motor tax introduced at an average cost of £132 per vehicle, coupled with a reduction in fuel duties. / Guernsey Press

The committee’s president, Deputy Adrian Gabriel, is making clear that the new system will allow islanders to pay the tax online, although it will still be possible to do so in person if anybody chooses to do so.

Prior to the previous motor tax system being abolished in 2008, there were often grumbles about people needing to take time out of their working day to go to the motor tax office and buy their disc, but Deputy Gabriel said that is now history.

‘We already have a provider on board that does our vehicle registration system and they are well placed to expand that to do what we want with motor tax.’

But he said that despite the new system being automated, the proposed new motor tax, and another proposed one-off levy on vehicles costing more than £50,000, will require some extra staff.

‘The customer hub will be putting in an extra two members of staff,’ he said.

‘This is listed in the policy letter. That’s a minimal uplift. They will be counter staff and they will be doing other duties too.’

The new motor tax forms part of the tax package being proposed by the Policy & Resources Committee, which is forecast to boost the public coffers by just under £60m. a year.

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