€23.6 million given back to 29,000 vehicle owners for extra tax charged between 2004 and 2008

The final phase of the scheme refunding extra tax paid on vehicle registration between 2004 and 2008 was launched on Thursday by Transport Minister Ian Borg and Finance Minister Edward Scicluna launched once more. This year, vehicles registered in Malta from 1st January 2008 until 31st December 2008 are eligible.

“This is a Government which plans and works, a Government which delivers what it has promised. Above all, it is a Government which distributes wealth to its people,” stated Minister Borg during the launch of the scheme.

Borg explained how this scheme, which was put in place by the Government in 2014 is giving back money which was unjustly paid by vehicle owners who registered their vehicles between 2004 and 2008. “This time we are launching this scheme with a difference, because we will once and for all be concluding a chapter of an injustice which happened between year 2004 and year 2008. This year we will be giving back around €4.9 million to more than 6,300 eligible people. This is the greatest amount we have ever given, so that in total the Maltese Government will have given back €23.6 million for almost 29,000 vehicles,” said Minister Borg.

He explained how the Government is committed to distribute wealth in every sector, including the transport sector. Minister Borg reminded those present of the incentives towards sustainable transport where, in 2018, the people benefitted from more than €3 million when investing in more sustainable vehicles and the same incentives have been launched again for the current year with an investment of €2.5 million. The Minister also reminded those present of the €2.2 million invested in 2018 so that more than 24,000 youths benefitted from free public transport, and this year Government has increased the investment to €3.3 million for all youths aged 14 to 20 and all full-time students aged 21 and over.

“We need to remember that this is money that can remain in the pockets of youths and of our families and this is how we can see that this Government is committed to witness our country’s successes being enjoyed by all those who deserve it – by the Maltese and Gozitan people. Above all we can see that we have a Government that is working hard on every level, in every sector,” concluded Minister Borg.

Minister for Finance Edward Scicluna explained that, “the Government was able to provide these benefits due to the impressive growth of the Maltese economy, which grew at an average yearly rate of 7.1% from 2013 to 2018. This is a huge leap when compared to the average rate of 2.1% economic growth during the period between 2007 and 2012.”

As was announced in the last Budget, the Government will be refunding the amount equivalent to extra tax paid on registration to vehicle owners who registered their vehicle between 1 January and 31st December 2008. From this total, one needs to subtract the amount of €110 (vehicles) or €55 (motorcycles) which was already paid back in 2014 when this scheme was announced for the first time. The refund will be sent as one payment through a cheque which will be sent to the address provided in the application form to eligible vehicle owners.

In the coming days, Transport Malta will be notifying eligible applicants in writing about this scheme. Applicants who receive this notification should verify their personal details, sign and send the application form back to Transport Malta by not later than 26 April 2019 to one of these addresses: Grant Scheme, Transport Malta, A3 Towers, Triq l-Arkata, Raħal Ġdid or Għotja ta’ Darba, Ministeru għal Għawdex, Pjazza San Franġisk, Rabat, Għawdex.

If an applicant is sending an application form in their own name, they do not require any additional documentation, while in the case of an eligible person who has passed away, the heir should fill in his details on this application and send a notary’s declaration confirming that he is the person eligible for the scheme.

Vehicle owners who had registered a vehicle for personal use between 1 May 2004 and 31 December 2007 who are eligible for the scheme but who had not applied in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 or 2018 can still submit an application form which can be obtained from Transport Malta until 26 April 2019.

For more information or assistance, one can either call on the Freephone 8007 2373 from Monday to Friday between 08.00 and 15.00 or send an email on: grantscheme.tm@transport.gov. mt.