The number of applications for exemption on car registration tax put in by foreigners, as well as returning migrants, has risen to around 160.

After a delay of around two months, due to the fact that legislation on the changes to the registration tax was being discussed in Parliament, a committee at the Ministry of Finance is now tackling the backlog of applications this paper was informed. In order to fast track applications that clearly show eligibility, a temporary permit is being issued.

When the exemption was announced in the last Budget Speech, it was brought into effect on Budget Day itself, rather than on 1 January as is usual with most Budget measures.

The exemption is available to those who owned the vehicle for over two years and had resided outside Malta for two years or more, and who had transferred their residence to Malta on 3 November, Budget Day. The measure was also widened to make it possible for people who were legally in Malta as of 1 July but who decided to transfer their residence on or after 3 November to be eligible for exemption.

This application’s eligibility is based on when the person took up residence in Malta, something that is as easy or difficult to determine according to the documents supplied by the applicants. Some delays are still being experienced due to the fact that further information is being requested from applicants or because applications are incomplete.

It would help, officials at the ministry told this paper, if applicants provided the committee with proper information that tallies with other information held by other government bodies, and that they do not give information that can be cross-checked and found wanting.