Akkermann says that a draft amendment to the motor vehicle tax is in preparation. It takes into account data and trends from the tax authority.
Car sales are in a bad state. Two years after the introduction of taxes, the situation is depressing. The state acknowledges that not everything went according to plan. It is difficult to predict how taxes influence behavior. At the end of last year, more cars were sold, but by the end of the year, sales numbers are lower.
Sales of electric and hybrid cars have increased. More hybrid cars are sold because cars with petrol and diesel engines have high registration fees. The aim of the law was to promote cars with lower carbon emissions. Electric and hybrid cars use domestic wind energy.
Estonia's car fleet is aging. The environmental situation is becoming more complicated because many cars are not electric. The aim of the law was also to encourage people to use their cars until the end. In Estonia, there are many cars parked in parking spaces.
The issue of scrapped cars was not resolved by the motor vehicle tax. Finally, a decision was made that the owner of a vehicle can delete it from the register if the vehicle no longer exists. Previously, a scrapping certificate was required.
Car dealers say that now the registers are cleaner. According to the Unemployment Insurance Fund data, many employees have been laid off. People are changing jobs, but this cannot be called a natural loss.
The purpose of the motor vehicle tax is to collect money for building and maintaining roads. Parked cars take up roadside space. Additionally, funds are needed to pay for traffic police and accident clearance.
The registration fee also affects used cars. This worsened the market situation. The European Commission demanded that all ownership changes be taxed similarly. The average registration fee is 600–700 euros, while imported cars cost 1000–1200 euros.
The next draft amendment to the motor vehicle tax is being prepared. Additional reliefs are being made for people with disabilities. Cars registered in the name of children receive tax benefits.
The Ministry of Finance predicts that the car tax will bring 205 million euros to the state budget. The state has made changes in its forecasts. People with disabilities have received additional support.
Decisions are made based on public opinion. Tax authority data is analyzed to see people's behavior. Estonia has many cars. Wealthier people pay more motor vehicle tax. Electric cars have a lower fee, but their price is higher.