Some €1.28m was collected in tractor tax arrears by the motor tax office between January and July this year, analysis by the Irish Farmers Journal shows.

Overall, €4.7m was collected by the motor tax office for tax discs for agricultural tractors and excavators during this period. Both machines are clubbed in the same category and charged an annual fee of €102 to tax for the road. Some 34,211 tax discs were issued for both machines, meaning the average amount of €139.47 per machine was slightly higher than the standard annual fee.

The additional charge indicates that a number of machines had tax arrears collected on them which are charged at €10.20/month.

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A number of farmers involved in construction will also be interested to note that 2,294 tax discs for diggers and excavators were issued in the first six months this year. In total, the tax office collected €318,114 for these discs which also have an annual charge of €102/year.

The amount paid by farmers in tractor tax was one of the highest amounts after private cars and goods vehicles, according to information released by the Department of Transport.

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