EU Plans Europe-Wide Green Tax on Motorists

mkpdavies · 22-01-2007, 02:58 PM

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...g&refer=europe

Quote:

Jan. 21 (Bloomberg) -- The European Union plans to introduce a green tax on motorists to replace road tax and registration tax across all 27 member states, the Sunday Telegraph reported.

A quarter of the tax would be based on the vehicle's carbon dioxide emissions, the newspaper reported, citing an interview with Laszlo Kovacs, the EU's tax commissioner. While the framework of the tax would be the same across the EU, member states will be allowed to set their own rates.

The levy has the backing of two thirds of members of the European Parliament, according to a recent plenary vote, and may be introduced in 2009, the newspaper said, citing Kovacs.

The U.K. Treasury is likely to oppose the move as a form of tax harmonization, the Telegraph said, citing Chris Sanger, head of tax policy at Ernst & Young LLP. Chancellor Gordon Brown argues that tax harmonization is a threat to member states' sovereignty.

That last bit made me laugh.

Feldoon · 22-01-2007, 04:35 PM

You can tell why Brown opposes it.

Why, it suggests replacing road and registration taxes with these green taxes. What a preposterous idea? Why not have all three taxes?

Here's an idea Brown - Tax people for eating more than 6g of salt a day. Since that's the recommended daily amount. Even for people who output more than 6g daily.

Dissident Congress · 22-01-2007, 10:03 PM

There could be a small consolation. If the "road tax" system is standardised across the EU but rates vary from country to country, then what is stopping you from renewing your tax disc in the country with the cheapest rates?

There could be a standard EU MOT next.

Besoeker · 22-01-2007, 10:51 PM

A quarter of the tax would be based on the vehicle's carbon dioxide emissions, the newspaper reported, citing an interview with Laszlo Kovacs, the EU's tax commissioner. While the framework of the tax would be the same across the EU, member states will be allowed to set their own rates.

Do your own thing doesn't really sould like harmonisation.

John Carter · 23-01-2007, 06:50 AM

What the betting that they won't tax on actual vehicle emissions, but manufacturers' original data? So all the Landy V8 owners running on LPG or chipped to be more fuel efficient will be screwed.

g hall · 23-01-2007, 08:17 AM

And whats the betting the taxpayer will pay for the EU's emissions as we're "working for you"

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22-01-2007, 04:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
Feldoon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,003	You can tell why Brown opposes it. Why, it suggests replacing road and registration taxes with these green taxes. What a preposterous idea? Why not have all three taxes? Here's an idea Brown - Tax people for eating more than 6g of salt a day. Since that's the recommended daily amount. Even for people who output more than 6g daily.

22-01-2007, 10:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dissident Congress Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 540	There could be a small consolation. If the "road tax" system is standardised across the EU but rates vary from country to country, then what is stopping you from renewing your tax disc in the country with the cheapest rates? There could be a standard EU MOT next.

22-01-2007, 10:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
Besoeker Uber Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,734	A quarter of the tax would be based on the vehicle's carbon dioxide emissions, the newspaper reported, citing an interview with Laszlo Kovacs, the EU's tax commissioner. While the framework of the tax would be the same across the EU, member states will be allowed to set their own rates. Do your own thing doesn't really sould like harmonisation.

23-01-2007, 06:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
John Carter Uber Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: On Sabbatical Posts: 5,110	What the betting that they won't tax on actual vehicle emissions, but manufacturers' original data? So all the Landy V8 owners running on LPG or chipped to be more fuel efficient will be screwed.

23-01-2007, 08:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
g hall Uber Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 4,573	And whats the betting the taxpayer will pay for the EU's emissions as we're "working for you"