Man claims refund of VAT on registration tax

J. Buhagiar

Mar 5th 2009, 22:01

@ Joe Martinelli

No! Joe, this is not the usual syndrome. I was one that joind the many PN protests when MLP were clearly going out of conformance with the norm after being in office for years. So we probably come from the same side of the fence.

However, now, I cannot construe things the way you do because it's the PN and/or my ties/memories of the past. The Germans destroyed and brought misery to all of us. But that was years ago. We are now in 2008, joined the EU, and Germany?

By your reasoning then, we should keep to our old bad practices and outdated way of taxing people. Otherwise we would have to change to introducing and increasing good pract ices, including a host of taxes like VAT which we increased to an alarming 18% and a host of Indirect Taxes and Administration fees now being passed over to citizens from Authorities.

Or do we now think that some of us can proceed against laws and regulations.
Could be you know. Cause Ministers sometimes accompanied by Trafic Cops too go right past speed cameras far above the limit while I have to keep to 60.

D. Xuereb

Mar 5th 2009, 19:20

A couple of questions to think about Hon. Minister....

1) How can you justify not refunding us back...If YOU REMOVED IT in the Tax reform?!?!
2) How can you justify not refunding us back...If YOU STOLE IT from our pockets even though you knew that it's ILLEGAL to do it?!?!
3) Why should pre 2009 registered cars be penalized on their initial cost and suffer Thousands of Euros in depreciation within a year!!!

Stephen Grech

Mar 5th 2009, 18:40

Makku?. You mean you not me ux?.

Yes like British, Germans etc, I expect the same rights eg. Good roads with good grip and proper rainfall drainage. Today it's 3rd March 2009 my friend.:)

GiovDeMartino

Mar 5th 2009, 18:22

YES, we ARE europeans thanks to PN> and in spite of all the problems created by Alfred Sant, the present labour leader Joseph Muscat and the majority of lejburisti. Read what was written six years ago, remember the burning of flags, see what they are still saying to this v ery day, ALLAHARES QATT George vella said six years ago. The past haunts YOU not me.You should hide your head in shame when you mention the EU and expect them to DICTATE to us what we should do. If we oblige you'll remind us that we are MAKKU. But we are not.

A.Gauci Cunningham

Mar 5th 2009, 18:07

Funny how someone like Mr.Edward Demicoli (MEP "hopeful" PN) should be the one to beat on his chest about how "opportunistic" J.Muscat is when he's taking Political advantage (wooow!! since when do Politicians take Political advantage????) of an issue such as this!! Wasn't he the one who through MIC took political advantage of the rather sizeable hunting fraternity telling them that Spring Hunting will stay only to change his stance and declare a "political War" against hunting only a few weeks ago?? So that is not opportunistic of you Mr.Demicoli?? Or is opportunism the PN's monopoly too????

The Minister said that all those who think that this double-taxation on cars was illegal should go to court and thats what Joseph Muscat is doing, he is taking the government to court and seeking justice in the name of all those who dont have enough money to rectify this injustice!!!

Mr.castillo------you have a right to defend the indefensible and the very "un- European" but at least can you make yourself understood!!!???

deMartino----Are you going to answer my questions??? Or are you lost indoctrinating yourself with what happened 25 years ago when we had no chocolate???????????

Joseph Borg

Mar 5th 2009, 18:06

@Keith Tanti

Eh, so what? You mean we should allow the government to charge VAT illegally?

Stephen Borg

Mar 5th 2009, 18:05

Mr GiovDeMartino you are still tied to the past that will never come back and haunt you because times have changed and people changed too. I feel that with the ongoing World economic crisis and with the present administration mismanagement of the country's finances, it is better if we try to look and predict and in some way try to avert the future of our country because if this administration continues to conduct business the way it is we surely would have a big problem. This government has to become a full time European Union government and so if in the European Union double taxation is illegal then it is also illegal here in Malta. If you join in a club you have to adhere to the rules and if the rules say so and if these people have to be refunded they must be refunded. The tax burden should be carried equally by everybody not by a few. Let us then be sensible and act like Europeans.

GiovDeMartino@S.Grech

Mar 5th 2009, 17:31

Whether the tax is illegal or not we'll have to wait a bit. I was pleased to see that Mr. Grech knows that he has equal rights like the Germans, Italians, British Since when? As far as I know we are MAKKU!

Stephen Grech

Mar 5th 2009, 16:42

Dear GiovDeMartino,
When I told another European Citizen what my Government would charge me for buying his already EU registered car, you know what was his reaction?. He laughed in my face, then asked me if I really was an EU citizen.

We are the laughing stock of the EU, and with your way of thinking the road seems long. If you embrace such illegal tax, you can pay mine any time. Being an EU member entitles me to equal rights as a Brit, German and Italian, and that's what I expect from my government.

If you ever watched " Wheelers Dealers" on Discovery Channel, the chap purchases cars from other EU states, takes them to UK, fixes them, MOT end of story. Here we spend endless days at ADT, get charged rediculous amounts of Euros (up to 75% duty) and then topped up with 18% Vat. Do you know that ADT charges duty on frieght too?.

Kindly check all the theft taking place in registering an already EU registered car before writing any comments. If projects estimates don't double before completion, money would surely be "No Problem"!.

GiovDeMartino@Paul camilleri

Mar 5th 2009, 14:44

U kemm iwahhaxkom il-passat? It was so evil that the absolute majority has condemed you to roaming in the desert since 1981!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Why don't they seek redress in the courts? For the simp[le reason that a (despotic} government can find ways and means of committing any illegality without giving you the chance to take him to court. When Mintoff had some doubts, he SUSPENDED THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT. Their past could hardly be more atrocious.

Edward Demicoli

Mar 5th 2009, 14:08

Previous comment brings me to PL's reaction which is simply another irresponsible decision that has been taken before the facts are known. It is popular and vote catching therefore joe Muscat will do it. If Dr MUscat wants to be believed on giving back to the people, what is the people's then he should start by giving back all the PL clubs stolen by the PL in government.

Edward Demicoli

Mar 5th 2009, 14:06

There is no judgement that has said that Malta was wrong in charging VAT on the registration Tax. What has happened till now is that the European Commissioner responsible for Taxes gave his interpretation on the situation in Malta. He might be right but equally he might be wrong and it is worth noting that in an extremely similar case against the Netherlands the Commission lost the case and the ECJ's (European Court of Justice) interpretation was that the Netherlands were right in charging VAT on an importation tax. What is illegal is a sales tax on another sales tax. The Registration tax in Malta is not a sales tax or at least it is not interpreted as being so. Mr camilleri is right in going to the courts to get an interpretation of the law. it is the normal thing to do. the courts will now have to decide this issue. it is worth noting however that there is to date NO JUDGEMENT AGAINST MALTA ON THIS CASE.

....cont

D.Micallef

Mar 5th 2009, 13:38

Martinelli, just don't apply and stay away. If you like being robbed, good for you.

paul camilleri

Mar 5th 2009, 12:20

Giov de Martino the man with 1 Vision ' The Seventies'.
Maybe we should callhim RETRO-MARTINO!

F J Brincat

Mar 5th 2009, 10:47

J Martinelli

This isn’t about wanting everything for nothing. Nobody is saying that imported vehicles shouldn’t be taxed. What people are saying is that VAT should not have been charged on the registration tax. Two separate issues as I’m sure you will notice.

As you say, the government can always obtain the money from a different source of tax, it has always been like that everywhere, nothing new about that.

Noel Cutajar

Mar 5th 2009, 09:20

@GiovdeMartino - since you are always discussing the past without seeing the present and future, I suggest that those persons who had their property stolen from the past labour governments seek redress in Courts or ask the present PN government to give them back the property...if you have not forgotten (I am sure you did not), your PN government has been in power since 1987 and thus people had more than 20 years to rectify their positions which you are referring to...only a few had sought court action...ask why.

J Martinelli

Mar 5th 2009, 04:16

The Hon. Minister can always pay back the VAT on registration tax and then raise other taxes to cover the cost. There is more than one way to skin a cat!

Or are taxes now illegal too?

The usual syndrome - we want something for nothing - a form of 'jew b'xejn jew xejn'.

J. Buhagiar

Mar 4th 2009, 22:14

There is much more to this move than meets the eye.

As I understand it, Mr Camilleri does not want to associate himself with the LP and/or join the collective drive of the LP to get a refund of what is due to all without spending a cent.

His decision was to proceed on his own thus showing the party that enough is enough.
Many of us were fed up with the host of ruthless indirect taxes and bad practices associated with people that remain in power for too long. Yet, many of us changed our mind in the last minute after frequent face to face meetings on TV with Dr. Gonzi before the elections. The man seemed to definitely be after doing what is right. He was a new leader too. Give him a chance was what many of us that would rather vote PN, believed was right at the time. .

But he is not following his promise through is he.
This is clearly not right. And now we have the EU to protect us.
Mr. Camilleri must be a real gentleman.

Manuel Mifsud

Mar 4th 2009, 20:47

Giovanni. Mur orqod. U Qum tletin sena ohra. Imbaghad ibda tkellem fuq ir registrazzjoni tal karozzi. Ghadek tletin sena lura.

Kenneth Cassar

Mar 4th 2009, 19:21

@ GiovDeMartino:

So what exactly are you saying? Should both the government and Labour give back to their rightful owners what is theirs, or should neither of them do so?

Stephen Grech

Mar 4th 2009, 19:11

Dear GiovDeMartino, what does your argument have to do with Vat on cars?.

A.Gauci Cunningham

Mar 4th 2009, 19:09

Giov. De Martino--Yes I agree with you 100%, if the PL does have property for which it is paying a pittance it should pay the right/commercial amount in rent!!! If even worse property was stolen as you're saying than yes this should be given to their rightful owners profusely!! But dear DeMartino does the above in any way release the government from any possible guilt on this VAT issue?? Does a wrong make a right?? Do you have an opinion on anything post-1987 apart from the VRT which you had claimed was going to be the PN's downfall?? So regulating cars worthiness is bad but not giving money stolen from the taxpayers is OK????

Anthony Castillo

Mar 4th 2009, 19:00

@ V FENECH. I think that's a very very long way to hyperery becouse with amitures you can only play and may be won in the amiture legue where non profestional players take part and also Dr LAWRENCE GONZI still have 4 more years to go and as always in this 4years he is going to beat again like he did the MLP or PL becouse they've been making all this non sence changes and they never make the real change in changing the whole Party. As the results shows the polticians with out a vision they could never beat the profestionals like Dr LAWRENCE GONZI becouse at the end only credible politicians can govern Malta not like others they make UTURNS in just abuot everything.(another 25yearsw in power especialy when you have no competion)

J.Scicluna

Mar 4th 2009, 18:40

@GiovDeMartino@C Marsh

Your argument is flawed.

If, as you say, "Of course my argument has to do with VAT", can you indicate where in your, "The labour leader SHOULD GIVE BACK to their rightful owners the several plots and apartments stolen" are you mentioning VAT?

The discussion at hand is "illegal VAT charged by the Government".

PERIOD

Can you defend the argument (and any argument that taints the present regime) without resorting to what happened 25/30years ago?

Question: Is VAT on car Registration Fee/Tax, in your opinion, right or wrong?
Answer: ____ .

GiovDeMartino@C Marsh.

Mar 4th 2009, 17:22

Of course my argument has to do with VAT. The present government is being asked to give back what it "had stolen" from the citizen. The labour leader SHOULD GIVE BACK to their rightful owners the several plots and apartments stolen, without any commas, by past labour regimes and given to the party.

Stephen Borg

Mar 4th 2009, 16:51

I personally haven't acquired a car in the period from May 2004 till January 2009 and I feel that the government has to refund those who bought cars within this period. What I find irresponsible on behalf of the finance minister is that he already knows and confirmed that he is going to lose the law suit in court, this was confirmed by the minister himself because on the first of January of this year VAT on car registration Tax was removed as the government knows it is illegal. What I deem as irresponsible is that instead of paying the money back to whom it belongs the government will have to pay the 50 million VAT on car registration Tax sum plus all the law suits. So instead of just paying the robbed 50 million the government will also have to pay the law suits which are going to be paid from the taxpayer's pocket to make good for an irresponsible government. Please give the right to the people.

Maria Gauci

Mar 4th 2009, 16:23

Finally......someone with some guts!!!
Well done.

P Zammit

Mar 4th 2009, 16:20

An important point was probably omitted from this judicial protest. If our friend travelled out of the island to collect the car he should then claim a refund on the Departure Tax as well because that too was charged upon us for many years in clear violation of European law !

stephen Baldacchino

Mar 4th 2009, 15:47

Hi everyone,

If you realy think that the Goverment is going to give you back the money for the VAT on your car.... than you can start dreaming. Assive the Goverment will give you back the money. Gewwa plenty u barra njienti.

laurence schembri

Mar 4th 2009, 15:14

there is no point in trying to point out to Giovanni Demartino that we have reached the 21st Century, the man is buried in the 70`s. Will he ever emerge and get a life?

Kenneth Cassar

Mar 4th 2009, 13:59

@ Joseph Abela:

"Allura dan Mr. Camilleri irid il-flus lura ax xtara Mercedes???? Kieku ried jiffranka seta xtara xi haga ohra u ma kienx jonfoq daqsekk flus mux issa jitlob refund!!!!".

Jew inkella seta jsir ministru u jixtri Jaguar minghajr ma jhallas 1c.

C. Marsh

Mar 4th 2009, 13:33

@ GiovDeMartino the song you're playing has been out of the charts for a long time now. Always the same song over and over again. What does your argument have to do with THE VAT we have been robed by your Cristian Democrat Government?

Charles Busuttil

Mar 4th 2009, 12:23

@ Noel Hili
Just for the record. Some sixteen years ago (under a PN government) I bought a Skoda Favorit (a very good investment indeed). As this car was 1300cc and considered a popular horse power and within easy reach of the common man in the street, Dr Bonello Dupuis, then finance minister, imposed a tax of (if my memory serves me right) Lm70. Whoever bought a luxury car for the tune of Lm30,000 or more was exempted from paying such a tax. So much for what you call Socialism.

M.Fenech (ex-pat)

Mar 4th 2009, 12:04

Paul Preston.....Soap Opera do you think we will able to tune in here in Melbourne,its about time cause we are getting rather cheesed off watching Neighbours. Yes its true here in Ausse unfair tax grabbed from my Maltese brethrens, the news has also reached these shores, and i dare say Malta is getting to be the laughing stock of all time., i tend to get embarrssed sometimes to have to listen to bull sh*t comments from some of my workmates. Come on mate, give my brothers their rightful money back so i can have a peaceful night's sleep.
Mario Fenech (down under)

Collen Isherwood

Mar 4th 2009, 10:47

Surely if the Government has taken something that it had no right to take, then it has to give it back, so where does the Taxpayer come into this?? just give back what was taken. While the Government is also handing back the car registration VAT, what about paying back the illegally gathered tax on Satellite dishes it claimed, and again the departure "tax" on Maltese leaving Malta,

Paul Preston

Mar 4th 2009, 09:50

I can see Michael Camilleri becoming the "People's Champion" when he get's his money Refunded which no doubt eventually he will do .. May I wish him "All the best" in his quest .... As previously stated the situation now appears to be developing into a "Soap Opera" ... Lol

Stephen Grech

Mar 4th 2009, 09:11

My friends, now we are part of the EU, so we are entitled to equal right, no if and buts, no Gonzi PN or Joseph Muscat or AD.

Those fanatic supporters who praise our ministers for all their actions will not be converted, but what is illegal cannot be deemed legal in a tiny island in the middle of the Mediterranean.!

I will not allow anybody to steal money from my pocket as I don't.

The clock is ticking. Look forward to your comments in the coming very near future.

Anthony Bugeja

Mar 4th 2009, 02:02

@ Joseph Abela. What is the point that the car in question is a Mercedes ? Are Maltese now so second rate as to be banned from owning a good, efficient and above all very safe car ? This smells of jealousy...........

Noel Hili

Mar 4th 2009, 01:18

@Joseph Abela

Mr.Abela, if Mr.Camilleri decided to buy a Mercedes, that was his business and his fundamental right of choice in a FREE Market. Having bought a luxury car does not mean that he has to suffer an illegal tax which is 'Usura' disguised Tax (it was a VAT (tax) over and above Registration (tax)). Buying a SAAB, Rover, BMW, Mercedes, Fiat, Citroen whatever value does not justify that he should pay an illegal tax - that is socialism!!! (Come to realise Gonzi's PN tax impositions resemble the Mintoffian style of taxes).

Come on Maltese people, get what is due to you. We voted for Europe to get better value and not less!! Minister Tonio Fenech - you do not have a right to prive Maltese of what is theirs. If you have a financial problem - you can come to arrangements to pay out the dues to Maltese citizens within reasonable stages, like we do when we owe you taxes..!!

Personally I do not fall under this category because I still have my old car, but if I was one of those eligible I would surely do it. I do not have a hidden agenda!!

John Debono

Mar 4th 2009, 00:07

Mr. Giov deMartino,yes you can.One could apply through legal channels like some some Vella family did recently for a premises in Kirkop.In a civil society the courts are there to be used in all possible ways,and that is what Mr.Camilleri is doing.....................is it illegal? Shameful? Rightful? you choose the answer.

E. Azzopardi

Mar 4th 2009, 00:00

Mr G. Demartino: Why do you always have to go outside the subject and always, but always involve politics? What has the "kazini" got to do with vat on cars? This is 2009 and we are in the EU, in case you have not noticed. What a load of rubbish. No wonder it is so difficult for this nation to move forward. Please open your mind, for goodness sake.

S. Calleja

Mar 3rd 2009, 23:38

@ Brian Fenech

Because those €200 million have already been spent, or are committed to existing or forthcoming projects. The government and organizations cannot spend the money we get from the EU in any way they like. Their are very strict rules governing this expenditure.

On the other hand the €50 million were collected as extra taxation in the first place, so asking from where they should be refunded does not make sense in my opinion. Most probably, these funds are now either spent or committed to other public projects, but if the EU decides against the government on this one, the administration should be held responsible to tackle this problem by rescheduling financial plans or otherwise, such as increasing other taxes to make up for the unplanned expenditure.

Of course, in serious countries, people responsible for such blunders usually resign without second thoughts, since there is more honour in resigning when due rather than cowardly holding on one's position for the sake of the perks associated with that position and pretend nothing happened. In a country where the laws of the jungle apply, honour is obviously unheard of, and "isloħ u aħtaf" apply instead.

J.Scicluna

Mar 3rd 2009, 21:42

@GiovDeMartino

What's your post got to do with the refund of illegally-collected VAT from car buyers?!

But to answer your question; no, you do NOT sue the MLP but the Government of Malta. It was the Government (even though it might have been MLP on the day) that allegedly comandeered the property in question. I am one of those that contributed to the illegally obtained EUR50m but I will not be sueing the PN, but the Government of Malta.

Stephen Spiteri

Mar 3rd 2009, 21:39

1) Illegal or not,when this chap got the car he knew what he's in for.
2) So he'll get VAT back and have his car taxed under the old regime, thus saving on the yearly car licence.

While I sympathize with him, this is really a double edged issue !

Lorna Borg

Mar 3rd 2009, 21:05

I would have closed an eye...may be not..but let 's say I would have, if we had roads that we deserve... not the ones we do... a national joke. I should even refuse to pay the licence let alone agree to this day light robbery.

Marcel Dingli

Mar 3rd 2009, 20:46

@ Giov De Martino.
How long has the PN been governing to rectify the matter ?? Xoghol GUSTIZZJA Liberta paroli biss !!!

Shaun Camilleri

Mar 3rd 2009, 20:27

There are some people who when they see a comment regarding the government directly or indirectly go about as if their own family has been insulted. Why cannot people be honest with themselves all politicians are useless at the end of the day they are only in the business for themselves.

Are people happy with lack of health service for our people who contributed to it directly or through family towards it when illegal immigrants are granted everything for free?

Are you happy with theses exorbitant taxes? Does anyone know how our people are benefiting? Who helps our people? We have elderly people who are dumped once they reach 70 the politicians tell them medicine is a wast of money on them. Are you happy?

Our children get bullied in school by children of illegal immigrants and treated as second class citizens. Are you happy? Our children must pay for everything and those others have everything paid for. Are you happy?

All politicians and political parties work for their members- very close members. When you mix red + blue + yellow what is the result? - Exactly.

K Bonello

Mar 3rd 2009, 20:23

Austin... why don't you just refund us all? Another dozen speed cameras will reimbuirse the expenses...

Manuel Mifsud

Mar 3rd 2009, 20:01

Some people really amaze me. Does the Government really care where all of us get the money to pay our bills? High or low. Why should I care where he gets the money from, especially money he stole from all of us. Gonzi people, if you do not wish to be refunded, no problem. Give them as a donation either to your party or to someone in need. But I have the right to be refunded with the money that was STOLEN from me.

GiovDeMartino@j Brincat

Mar 3rd 2009, 19:57

The answers very simply. Trid trodd lura dak mlim tkun sraqt. Min serraq il-Vat u min seraq Apartament shih. elementary dr. watson!

Donald Chircop

Mar 3rd 2009, 19:40

@A.Vella thats not all they get away with what about all the perks that goes with the job, cheaper property allowences is one Plus many more other perks, that the ordinary Joe in the street have to forfeit the full wack. i think i'll put in for say the next government,:: where do i get the application form from chaps? maybe i can start by getting all inported cars moveing in sales with a big slogen outside city gates saying: buy a new inported car this month and i propmise to make you an Offer that you can't refuse!! LOL LOL Don chircop

charmaine mangion

Mar 3rd 2009, 19:34

well done mr camilleri lets put these bullies we have in goverment down.

Anthony Castillo

Mar 3rd 2009, 19:12

What I would like to know who is going to pay for the 50million euros that all who buy a car from the year 2004 till now.I think that we the tax payers are going to pay all this so I think that who ever buys a car in those years knows that he have to pay this tax especialy the one who just open the case in court which was singed by Dr Hose Herera who just want me to pay the tax back in buying a luxery car becouse the goverment has to get the money to pay for our HEALTH; EDUCATION; SOCIALSERVICES; INFRACFRACTURE; HOUSING and all other things that we take for not paying any cent for and on top of this the goverment was not found guilty from the EU.I think that this is all is being done just to try (the only way they know how }to interfier with the great progress that the goverment is doing under the LEADERSHIP of Dr Lawrence Gonzi. Please try to be more realistic and try to find thigs that they could help the Maltese people if there is any becouse our goverment is smart enuogh to cover all.

Joe Saliba

Mar 3rd 2009, 19:05

What is the problem if the GOvernment forks out 50 Million Euro????

Are the 'Finanzi fis-sod' or not?

V Fenech

Mar 3rd 2009, 18:57

How funny Mr DeMartino....

Can you tell me what the Labour Clubs has to do in this issue? Could it be because with this issue of the registration tax Joseph Muscat has pinned another nail in PN's coffin?

If you think that Labour is involved in any illegal action like the Finance Minister why doesn't the PN represent the victims of your mentioned illegality and fight Labour? What are you waiting for bro.?

Or are you just going to sit there pretending that this annoying tune about the Labour Clubs is going to make some effect and divert the people's attention from the arrogant of Lawrence Gonzi & co.?!!

A. Vella

Mar 3rd 2009, 18:49

Apart from VAT being charged illegally, what irritates me the most is that the people running this county get away when breaking laws.

Why can't the people who insisted on this tax be held personally responsible? I do not suggest they pay the 50m, as this would be impossible. What about fininf them, removing them from the misistry, ect... If a maltese steals, then s/he is given a prison sentence, but ministers seem to get away with everything!

Mr Victor Testa

Mar 3rd 2009, 18:49

The Maltese National Court should ask for a prelimenary ruling to the ECJ immediately concerning this matter. Malta will lose unless the ECJ decides to take a political decision concerning Malta's financial debt/burden. (i.e the relative high amount of Vat Claims from such an infringement) Community Policies Part 3- Free Movement of Goods Art 23 in conjunction with Art24 of theEc Treaty.

F J Brincat

Mar 3rd 2009, 18:36

GiovDeMartino (1 hour, 12 minutes ago)

What has your comment got to do with reclaiming VAT paid on registration tax of a vehicle imported from 2004 and onwards exactly?

GiovDeMartino@Mr. Archer

Mar 3rd 2009, 18:24

J . Muscat has been saying something on these lines a lot of times. Paroli si, fatti no. If labour had stolen the citizen's property, it has to hand them back.

Michael Camilleri

Mar 3rd 2009, 18:13

To Joseph Abela You are not seeing the point. The issue here is not how much the car is worth but that the VAT was charged illegally no matter the model of the car or the price. I paid the tax 2 weeks before the new rules came into force , so Mr. Abela, if I bought a fiesta has the Governement got the right to charge me VAT. Do you get the point now?

Brian Fenecj

Mar 3rd 2009, 18:06

I thought that Malta had a net gain of 200 million euros since it joined the eu, in accordance with times of Malta previous articles, why is the govnt finding it difficult to pay 50 million back???

Adrian Archer

Mar 3rd 2009, 17:12

One should face facts here...and truly face reality. If VAT was imposed on the registration tax (which it was) then no matter where "THE" government will fork the money from, it has to give them back.

Also I must not the complete ignorance in this country. Whether there is PL or PN in government it is still our government. When will we grow up and face reality as it truly is. Siding with a party and disagreeing with another is one thing. But calling the government as "YOUR" government or not saying claims as not having the money to pay back an illegal action is pure downright dumb.

We call ourselves the Smart Island...It's about time we start to act like one. Joseph Muscat has been saying something on these lines a lot of times.

GiovDeMartino

Mar 3rd 2009, 17:12

What about those whose houses were stolen by the labour regime and given to the party to be used as Kazini? Can these citizens sue the Labour Party?

Mike Magri

Mar 3rd 2009, 17:12

@.. Kieth Tanti and the likes....

You seem to follow your GonziPN Irresponsible and Arrogant government, and now are repeatingly asking the question of.. ".. Where does the GonziPN government is going to get that 50 million euros from..??.."

Simple my `friend`... VEEERRRYYYY SSIIIMMMPPPLLLEEE....!!!

Just have GonziPN to ask his predicessor, Dr. Eddy Fenech Adami, to give them to him, as for Dr. Fenech Adami, "..LM10 mijuni l`hemm u LM10 miljuni l`hawn, M`HUMA XEJN..." This he said when he was pressed by everybody about the SCANDALOUS sale of Min-Med Bank to HSBC.. Remember this famous irresponsible phrase Keith.....!!!!!!!

So Now YESSSS.. We All Want What Was Taken From US ILLEGALY, Back, Sur Ministru....!!

D.Diacono

Mar 3rd 2009, 16:52

@ Keith Tanti

Jekk inti xtrajt karozza wara it-2004 u ma tridx il gvern itik il VAT li haddlek ingustament lura inti more than welcome, imma haddiehor iridu lura. Mela hekk sewwa il-haddiem ihallas it tazzi ghax ma hemmx mezz ghalih biex jahrabom, imbghad il gvern ma jaghtix lil haddiem dak li huwa bis sewwa tieghu. Mela l-EU fejn jaqblilkom tajba u tmorru xxejru l-mkatar blue bl-istilel, u fejn ma jaqblilkomx ma ssemmu xejn. Kemm kien hawn min ghajjat bis suq hieles !!! u issa il vili hi li min ghajjat bis suq hieles lanqas irid jimxi hu stess mar regoli tas suq hieles !!!

Mur gib kieku kien gvern laburista li ma ridx jaghti il vat lura fuq il-karozzi xkienu jaghmlu netnews, maltarightnow, in-nazzjon, il-mument etc etc etc. !!! dik hi l-ipokresija ta certu nies li hawn imexxu l-pajjizna !!!

David Wilkins

Mar 3rd 2009, 15:37

@Keith Tant, my friend if you don't mind me calling you a friend,, we dont' care where your government get his taxes back, all we care about is getting what was ours in the first place, i'm sure your lot have will have their sticky finger pointed at some other poor victim, and yes well done again to this Man who in our opinion will pass with flying colours in the eye of the european law of JUSTICE, the point is where can one team together and lodge such claims through a solicitor that its not going to cost the earth. Just as a matter of interest maybe? why doesn' yppur government regain the loss of Vat from say the vast numbers of eye soar empty shell bombed properties. Mr.Dave Wilkins retired

S. Calleja

Mar 3rd 2009, 15:36

@ Keith Tanti

Fair enough. But there are ways and ways to collect taxes. Some ways are legal (e.g. increase income tax or increase VAT). Others are not (e.g. double taxation). If the government wanted more money, the correct way to go about it was to increase the registration tax or meddled with car licenses (aka what he did in the last budget).

Unfortunately, the last budget was after the election not before.

A. Farrugia

Mar 3rd 2009, 15:33

@ Keith Tanti

you say "Face reality" ?? The reality is that a few thousand individuals who bought new cars were forced to pay this potentially illegal tax, with which the government funded projects that should have been funded through fairer, distributed taxes, i.e., not taxes on a few who decided to purchase a new car.

The way things happened, if indeed the EU law was broken by the government, meant that an unfair burden was placed on a few (car purchasers) instead of spread fairly across the nation. I don't mind government collecting funds, as this is the way things are done everywhere, through taxes and what not. but these taxes have to be fair, and, since we're in the EU, in line with EU standards.

so please, to all apologists who claim that it is insensible to claim this money back, please shut up. if the country needs more money, well and good. bring on new taxes. but make everyone pay, not those who needed a new car only. and unless you have something sensible to offer, please do not ask ANYONE to face reality from behind your obvious blinkers. thank you.

Mario Mifsud

Mar 3rd 2009, 15:33

It is true that ultimately the tax payer will fork out the bill, but that is no justificication to allow the government to not fall in line with EU rules (an EU membership which it worked very hard to achieve). In this situation the governement and its ministers have been myopic in their interpretation adn implementation of EU legislation. They leave compliance to the last minute, which by default leads to higher costs (for the taxpayer). The taxpayer needs to keep this incompetence in mind, next time they are at the polls. Malta is now in the EU, government and citizens have to learn to work, operate and live in this reality,.

carmelo briffa

Mar 3rd 2009, 15:28

Well done Micheal, You have a very good lawyer and hope to see the out come of this case. You have opened the door for others, besides you are not begging for money but you are asking the Government to return what it belongs to you with interest....It will be much cheaper for Gonzi to bend down as he is not only loosing the chair of the prime-minister but he will be wasting our hard earn money in court cases. I advise Our Prime Minister to bend down and give to what belongs to us and take what it belongs to you----FINAL----

Oisin Jones-Dillon

Mar 3rd 2009, 15:27

@ Joseph Cachia: See: http://www.adgozo.com/?news=3050&section=NEWS&type=NEWS

Joseph Abela

Mar 3rd 2009, 15:23

Allura dan Mr. Camilleri irid il-flus lura ax xtara Mercedes???? Kieku ried jiffranka seta xtara xi haga ohra u ma kienx jonfoq daqsekk flus mux issa jitlob refund!!!!

R. Caruana

Mar 3rd 2009, 15:23

We'll see the outcome in about four or five years' time............

Keith Tanti

Mar 3rd 2009, 15:21

To all those who are happy about this, and are keen to see other people suing the government - don't you realise that if the government have to pay back all the VAT on imported cars between 2004 and 2007, all Malta have to contribute in taxes?? It is true that the government should not have bribed VAT off registration tax payers, but in the end, if that VAT was not earned, the govt would have got the money from elsewhere.. and guess from where??

Where else?? Our pockets!!

So it's time to stop laughing and face reality.

S. Calleja

Mar 3rd 2009, 15:03

It begins.

A big thank you to Dr Tonio Fenech for opening his invitation to people to take the government to court. Good luck to all.

Mark Portelli

Mar 3rd 2009, 14:32

Looking forward to read the outcome of this claim..

Aaron Bugeja

Mar 3rd 2009, 13:36

Well done. You have to fight for your rights.

jesmond bonello

Mar 3rd 2009, 13:34

L-ghan ta’ kull ghaqda huwa certament dak li jindirizza d-diffikultajiet jew jikseb l-asperazzjonijiet tal-membri tal-istess ghaqda.



L-istess jista` jinghad ghall-Parlament Ewropew fejn dak li jahdmu ghalih il-Parlamentari Ewropej ta’ spiss ikun differenti sahansitra oppost minn dak li jkun qieghed jaspira c-cittadin Ewropew.

M`hemmx dubju li l-Membri Parlamentari Ewropej ikunu qeghdin jaghmlu l-agenda taghhom bil-ghan ewlieni u genwien fl-ahjar interess tal-Ewropej.

Madanakollu l-agenda maghzula mill-Parlamentari Ewropej mhux qed thalli spazju ghall-ugigh u pre-okkupazzjonijiet ta’ min qeghdin jirraprezentaw.

Illum aktar minn qabel f`sitwazzjoni li qed tghix l-Unjoni Ewropea flimkien ma’ pajjizi ohra jehtieg li kulhadd jinghata widen.

Ix-xoghol, l-ambjent, il-livell tal-ghixien huma mhux biss ta’ nteress tal-Parlamentari, izda zgur mhux forsi ser jaffettwa lic-cittadini wkoll.

L-edukazzjoni u s-sahha hija ta’ mportanza kbira ghall-futur ta’ pajjizna u l-idejali jkun li minn jirraprezenta l-Maltin fl-Unjoni Ewropeja ikun il-boghod minn kull agenda partiggjana u rejalment jirraprezenta lill-Maltin.

Il-UHM fil-jiem li ghaddew nediet il-progett o9o5o9 li ghandu l-ghan ewlieni li jaghti l-opportunita` lil kullhadd sabiex jikkotribwixxi fl-agenda li l-Parlamentari Ewropej eletti ghandhom jimxu fuqha.


Nistiednek tidhol fis-sit eletroniku www.090509.org u aghti l-intervent tieghek.

CENSU PACE

Mar 3rd 2009, 13:34

IS THIS THE MR. CAMILLERI WHOSE ''FRIEND'' MANAGED TO GET 35,000 EUROS FROM ADT ?
IF SO, PROSIT HI.

Adam Cauchi

Mar 3rd 2009, 13:25

It is not just VAT that has to be refunded but ALSO the registration tax should the tax due if registered in 2009 be lower than previous years. ADT website at present states tax refund which mean reimbursement of monies and not tax credit. Thus, citizens who registered their vehicle in 2008 and wish to migrate to the new registration system have the option for a TAX REFUND as per ADT's official website. It seems that officials are unaware about the legal difference between tax refund and tax credit. One has to differentiate between the two !!

joseph cachia

Mar 3rd 2009, 13:23

Where are the other who aired their disagreemnet to pay the VAT on registration ?
Are they a BUNCH of COWARDS only talking and NO ACTION.
Come over and SUPPORT Mr CAMILLERI with JUDICAL protests.
When you all consider LOGICS and carefully study the VAT law, you are bound 99%
to win the case and have your money back with interest.

cliff.davieson

Mar 3rd 2009, 13:18

A BIG WELL DONE TO A BRAVE MAN, THIS WILL THE LEAD A PATH FOR MORE SUCH CLAIMS THAT WILL MAKE WORLD HEADLINES AND BRING THIS TINY ISLAND IN LINE WITH REALITY. Cifford Davies