I recently wrote to Minister Tonio Borg asking for the justification of the car registration tax in Malta. I have written again as I have had no reply to advise him that I am now taking this matter to the European Union via the "Solvit" procedures. I am, at this stage inviting readers to provide me with some facts based on these four positions.
Since accession in 2004, have you:
• As a Maltese citizen, been obliged to pay car registration tax on a vehicle on which taxes have been properly paid for in another EU country?
• As a non-Maltese citizen, but a resident of Malta, (e.g., retired) have you been obliged to pay car registration tax on a vehicle on which taxes have been properly paid for in another EU country?
• As a non-Maltese citizen who is non-resident in Malta (for business and personal reasons) have you been obliged to pay car registration tax on which taxes have been properly paid in another EU country?
• And finally have you, as any of the above, been forced to remove your car from Malta by the authorities, even though all car taxes had already been fully paid within another EU country? In which case have you been subject to a financial loss of any kind because of this forced repatriation of your property to another EU country?
I have advised the Minister of Justice and Home Affairs and the Prime Minister that in my view, any car registration tax imposed since accession in 2004 is unlawful. (Only a tax on the actual use of the vehicle is permitted. Double taxation is not, as it interferes with the freedom of movement of EU citizens.)
Having heard nothing to justify the Maltese government's position I am therefore inviting readers to provide me with all the documentary evidence they hold which I can then refer to the Solvit Office of the EU, now set up in Malta.
I cannot deal with every single case, but I propose simply to take the best example I find of apparent maladministration in each of these categories and use each one as a test case. Once a decision has been reached on each type of case then your readers will be in a better position, I hope, to challenge the government's position and where appropriate petition for compensation.
The documentary evidence I must have includes these items with the complete registration plate history of the car in question:
• A letter of authority from any government agency denying your right to hold an EU car in Malta without paying the car registration tax.
• A letter of authority from any government agency which demands a car tax payment (no matter what wording has been used to describe/disguise such a one-off payment).
• Evidence about any payments made in this respect. (Receipts issued by government agencies would be vital with any other documents you hold supporting your claim that monies paid have indeed been paid in respect of the car registration tax.
• Any other supporting evidence you may have - including exchanges of correspondence between you and any government agencies about the demand for and the payment of the car registration tax.
I would also be interested to hear from anyone who has been advised by any Maltese insurance companies that they would not insure a Maltese-registered vehicle previously registered within another EU country. And/or that their EU insurance company has refused to continue to underwrite the risk should the car in question be re-registered with a Maltese number plate within the Maltese Islands.
If readers feel at all strongly about this issue and can supply me with the necessary evidence, then I shall, in confidence, choose the best examples I can find and use each one as a test case.
I am mindful of the risk that I might be overwhelmed by paperwork here (and at the Zejtun Post Office) but given the importance of this issue and the angst it is creating for so many people, I am prepared to take that risk.
Firm evidence only please should be posted to me with your name, address and telephone number, so I can at least call to confirm receipt of your paperwork as quickly as possible. My address is 37, Triq Xejba, Zejtun.
I hope to update readers periodically on progress once the process is in full swing.