The plea hearing has been long awaited after it was deferred a number of times last year. The alleged offense in the case not only involves the production and sale of fake road tax stickers but driver’s licenses, driver’s permits and insurance certificates as well. 
The allegation was only realized by the Department of Customs and Inland Revenue (DCIR) in April 2014 after a tip off by an informant. This led to an intensive investigation by DCIR investigators with the support of the Police Fraud Unit.
While the case is before the courts to deal with, DCIR is again reminding every vehicle owners and drivers that the Rates & Taxes Office within DCIR is the sole authority that administers road tax collection and the issuing of road tax stickers. Any individual or entity found doing the same will be investigated and prosecuted.
In addition to this, DCIR is advising all vehicle owners that the 2015 road stickers have arrived and are now available from the Rate & Taxes Office. Those who have paid their road taxes in January are asked to report to the Rates & Taxes Office, show proof of payment receipts and collect your allocated stickers.
Vehicle owners who have not paid their road taxes yet will need to do so on or before 31st March 2015. During registration, it is important that owners do provide the following documents:
- Vehicle Road Worthy Certificate
- The Public Works Department (PWD) is the sole authority under the Road Traffic Control Act mandated to carry out road worthy inspection;
- Inspection fees will have to be paid at Finance cashier before vehicles can be taken to PWD for inspection.
- Vehicle Registration Book
- All owners are to present a copy of their Vehicle registration book to enable proper assessment of their vehicle road tax fees;
- Vehicles without a registration book will not be accepted.
- Vehicle Ownership
- All vehicle owners paying for road tax must ensure that the vehicle ownership is under their names before road tax payments can be made;
- Exceptions are made only for vehicles under loans with commercial banks or car dealers and/or other financial institutions.
It is important for vehicle owners to note that Road tax registration is an annual registration and that it is due on the 31st of March every year.
For more information please contact the Rates and Taxes Office by phone: 00 (678) 24969 (Port Vila) and 00 (678) 36386 (Santo) or visit us at our Office in Carnot Street, Port Vila or at Millennium Building in Luganville.
