The Exchequer collected €1.5 billion in VRT and VAT receipts from car sales in 2018, which represents an increase of 1% compared to 2017. The total tax take from new car sales was €1.17 billion, which was 1% lower than 2017.
The total tax take from used car sales was €325.7 million, 8.7% ahead of 2017. In 2018, the Exchequer collected an average of €9,355 on every new car registered and an average of €3,233 on every used import registered.
In 2018, the authorities collected €7772 million in road tax, which was 5.4% down on 2017.
| Tax Receipts New & Used Car Sales | Type | 2018 (M) | 2017 (M) | % Change |
| New Cars | VRT | 616.4 | 621.0 | -0.8% |
| VAT | 558.2 | 565.3 | -1.3% | |
|
Total |
€1,174.6 |
€1,186.3 |
-1.0.% |
|
| Used Cars | VRT | 288.0 |
264.7 |
+8.8% |
| VAT | 37.7 |
34.9 |
+7.8% |
|
| Total | 325.7 |
299.6 |
+8.7% |
|
| Total Cars | VRT | 904.4 |
885.7 |
+2.1% |
| VAT | 595.9 |
600.2 |
-0.7% |
|
| Total | €1,500.3 |
€1,485.9 |
+1.0% |
Source: Revenue Commissioners & SIMI
Effective from 1st January 2013.
It applies to new cars registered on or after July 1st 2008 on, and also to road tax renewals on new cars first registered between January 1st 2008 and June 30th 2008 whose road tax would be lower on the CO2 emissions system (as opposed to the engine size system).
The easiest way to tax your car is via www.motortax.ie
| Band | CO2 emissions-gm per km | Annual € | Half-year €* | Quarterly €! | Arrears Monthly €# |
| A0 | 0 | 120 | 66 | 33 | 12.00 |
| A1 | 1-80g | 170 | 94 | 48 | 17.00 |
| A2 | More than 80g/km up to and including 100g/km | 180 | 99 | 50 | 18.00 |
| A3 | More than 100g/km up to and including 110g/km | 190 | 105 | 53 | 19.00 |
| A4 | More than 110g/km up to and including 120g/km | 200 | 111 | 56 | 20.00 |
| B1 | More than 120g/km up to and including 130g/km | 270 | 149 | 76 | 27.00 |
| B2 | More than 130g/km up to and including 140g/km | 280 | 155 | 79 | 28.00 |
| C | More than 140g/km up to and including 155g/km | 390 | 216 | 110 | 39.00 |
| D | More than 155g/km up to and including 170g/km | 570 | 316 | 161 | 57.00 |
| E | More than 170g/km up to and including 190g/km | 750 | 416 | 211 | 75.00 |
| F | More than 190g/km up to and including 225g/km | 1,200 | 666 | 339 | 120.00 |
| G | More than 225g/km | 2,350 | 1,304 | 663 | 235.00 |
| *55% of the annial rate (disregard cent) | !28.25% of the annual rate (disregard cent) |
#1/12 of the annual rate (disregard cent after multiplication) |
Effective January 1st 2013. Private cars registered before 1 July 2008
The easiest way to tax your car is via www.motortax.ie
| Engine Capacity (c.c.) | Annual € | Half-year €* | Quarterly €! | Arrears Monthly € |
| Not Over 1,000 | 199 | 110 | 56 | 19.90 |
| 1,001 to 1,100 | 299 | 165 | 84 | 29.90 |
| 1,101 to 1,200 | 330 | 183 | 93 | 33.00 |
| 1,201 to 1,300 | 358 | 198 | 101 | 35.80 |
| 1,301 to 1,400 | 385 | 213 | 108 | 38.50 |
| 1,401 to 1,500 | 413 | 229 | 116 | 41.30 |
| 1,501 to 1,600 | 514 | 285 | 145 | 51.40 |
| 1,601 to 1,700 | 544 | 301 | 153 | 54.40 |
| 1,701 to 1,800 | 636 | 352 | 179 | 63.60 |
| 1,801 to 1,900 | 673 | 373 | 190 | 67.30 |
| 1,901 to 2,000 | 710 | 394 | 200 | 71.00 |
| 2,001 to 2,100 | 906 | 502 | 255 | 90.60 |
| 2,101 to 2,200 | 951 | 527 | 268 | 95.10 |
| 2,201 to 2,300 | 994 | 551 | 280 | 99.40 |
| 2,301 to 2,400 | 1,034 | 573 | 292 | 103.40 |
| 2,401 to 2,500 | 1,080 | 599 | 305 | 108.00 |
| 2,501 to 2,600 | 1,294 | 718 | 365 | 129.40 |
| 2,601 to 2,700 | 1,345 | 746 | 379 | 134.50 |
| 2,701 to 2,800 | 1,391 | 772 | 392 | 139.10 |
| 2,801 to 2,900 | 1,443 | 800 | 407 | 144.30 |
| 2,901 to 3,000 | 1,494 | 829 | 422 | 149.40 |
| 3,001 or more | 1,809 | 1,003 | 511 | 180.90 |
| Electrical | 120 | 66 | 33 | 12.00 |