Govt soon to rationalize motor vehicle taxes; panel proposes uniform 6% road tax

14 Feb 2012 Evaluate

In order to make the road transport system hassle free and harmonize the rates to facilitate easy movement of vehicles across the country, the government has suggested a one-time road tax of 6% be levied on the sale price of cars and two-wheelers instead of the present system where the quantum of tax varies from state to state. An online system for tax collection has also been proposed. Waiving of permit fee for tourist vehicles due to low collection has also been suggested.

A meeting between the Transport Development Council (TDC) and Transport Ministers from various State Governments / Union Territories was held recently under the chairmanship of the Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways C P Joshi. It was consensually decided to bring the floor rate of motor vehicle taxes for cars and two wheelers at 6% using sale price as the base rate.

However, the other important issue pertaining to motor vehicle taxes being paid by private cars vis-à-vis taxies/maxis remained inconclusive. It has been felt that in order to reduce barriers on inter-state movement of vehicles for goods and passengers, the motor vehicle tax must be simplified. However, due to differences in opinion amongst the participating members Joshi recommended that the issue be referred to the Empowered Group of Ministers of States who would submit their report in two months.

It was also decided to increase the national permit fee for trucks and goods vehicles by 10% to Rs 16,500 per vehicle annually, to be reviewed after two years, after the States complained of a loss of revenue due to the consolidated fee received by them under the new National Permit Scheme as compared to the revenue earned by them in the earlier system.

At present, road taxes charged by states on cars and two-wheelers vary from 2% to 18%. While some states levy a lifelong road tax, annual levies prevail in others. Delhi also charges a parking fee as part of tax. There are also significant variations in tax rates based on fuel, sale price of vehicle and engine capacity in many states.

As per Joshi, the sector has to adopt information technology (IT) solutions for providing seamless movement of vehicles across states which will reduce transaction costs involved in the movement of goods. He said, ‘with this objective in mind, there is a need to rationalize the existing motor vehicle taxation system in order to reap benefits of technology.’

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