Smallest increase in motor vehicle surcharge for ten years

Provincial authorities expect to receive 1.441 billion euro from the surcharge on motor vehicle tax in 2011. This is 1.9 percent more than in 2010, and the smallest increase since the turn of the century. In 2010, revenues from this surcharge rose by 2.8 percent. In the period to 2009 the surcharge revenues rose by an average 8.6 percent per year.

Increase in revenues from surcharge on motor vehicle tax per province

Seven provinces have not raised surcharge rate

Within certain limits, provincial authorities may determine the rate of surcharge themselves. The maximum rate for 2011 is 119.4 cents per euro of motor vehicle tax due. South-Holland has the highest rate, at 95 cents, North-Holland the lowest at 67.9 cents per euro. Seven of the twelve provinces have not increased their rate for 2011. Zeeland has had the same rate for eight years now. 

Surcharge rates per province

Vehicle fleet increasing more slowly

The higher the surcharge rate, the higher the revenues for the province. But the size of the vehicle fleet also affects the revenues. In the period 2000-2009 the number of motor vehicles in the Netherlands rose by an average 2.1 percent per year, in 2010 the increase is 1 percent. Moreover, since 2008 cars emitting less carbon dioxide have had to pay less tax. Since 2010 owners of these economical cars are exempted from all vehicle tax surcharges.

Arlen Hoebergen