“Years overdue”: Motor vehicle tax could soon become more expensive for many Germans

The Federal Court of Auditors is urging Finance Minister Lindner to reform the motor vehicle tax: he is to abolish tax advantages for agricultural vehicles.

Bonn – It's about one billion euros: The Federal Court of Auditors has issued an ultimatum to Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) to abolish vehicle tax reductions.

According to information from the

, in a report to the Bundestag, the Federal Audit Office demands that the Ministry of Finance initiate a reform "without further delay".

Federal Audit Office: Motor vehicle tax reform must take place "without further delays".

Although an evaluation a few years ago showed that a number of tax advantages for agriculture and forestry in the vehicle tax were no longer up to date, the Ministry of Finance has not yet taken any steps to delete them, according to the report, which the

present.

This refers to a study by the scientific research institute at the University of Cologne (FiFo Institute) on behalf of the Ministry of Finance from 2017. According to the study, these perks are no longer appropriate for reasons of sustainability.

A corresponding initiative by the ministry has been “years overdue” and must now take place “without further delay”.

According to the information, the benefits criticized by the Federal Court of Auditors amount to one billion euros.

The motor vehicle tax brings in total revenue of around 9.5 billion euros.

Agricultural vehicles have so far been exempt from vehicle tax

So far, vehicles used for agriculture and forestry have been exempt from vehicle tax.

The owner of the vehicle does not have to own an agricultural or forestry business for this - only the use is decisive in order to be able to apply for exemption from vehicle tax.

Should the perks disappear, it would affect thousands of people working in agriculture and forestry.