Re: VRT Customs Called to my Home
Yes, I understand that she has been caught and ADVISED to pay the VRT possibly within a set amount of time or risk siezure and possible fines so on, however they have only advised her at this point, and the car is still hers and in her possession, if she wishes to sell or remove the vehicle outside the state within usually 7 days she is permitted to do so.
Please read Section 5.5.5 of the Revenue Document linked, you will see the exception to the fine by removing or reselling the vehicle outside the state:-
www.revenue.ie/en/about/foi/.../vehicle.../vrt-manual-section-5.pdf -
As for the €5000 fine, you may be correct on that, how I understand it from reading my Revenue Motor Trader VRT booklet, If a person is found in possesion of a vehicle where the VRT has gone undeclared for more than 1 month the person may be subject to a fine by the revenue commissioner, depending on the time scale the vehicle has been illegally used in a public place within the state, this fine can range from 2.5% to 10% of the OMSP or Min €60 to a Max fine up to €1900 and is applied with the discresion of the local VRO officer and payable at the local VRO.
It may well be the case that this Max fine of up to €1900 is treated as an on the spot fine of some sorts and perhaps if you fail to pay this on the spot fine to your VRO, you may be subject to a potential €5,000 through the courts. However, from my expeirance this fine is usually only applied as a large fine to people who have a previous history of undeclaring VRT on vehicles but not always the case. The usual protocol is, you get a warning to pay the VRT, if the VRT goes unpaid the vehicle may be siezed if stoped in a public place. It will be taken to, usually the nearest garda station and impounded, after a few days the vehicle will be released to you, usually on paying some sort of fine and the impound fee by the Customs Patrol officer. They will issue you with a demand to pay the VRT within 7 days or risk the vehicles siezure again with a larger fine. They also advise you that you may remove or sell the vehicle outside the state within 7 days if you wish.
Shaun