Is the car tax reform in an impasse?
the car tax is still prehistoric in Wallonia and Brussels† That has been clear for years and it seems that this will not change immediately… Only Flanders had the courage a few years ago and the intelligence to reform his car tax by pricing vehicle emissions in its formulas for the calculate of the road tax and the BIVat a time when the automotive landscape was rapidly changing with hybrid and electric cars.
The car tax system in Wallonia and Brussels is today more dramatic and more worrying, although the intention to change everything is there. Or was uh. Wallonia was already leaning towards taxes in 2019 based on the weight and emissions of the vehicles and Brussels even thought of a tax per kilometer traveled† Yes, but that was without taking into account the political calculations and probably also the inability of politics to estimate the new technical developments of the cars. And that’s about to happen again.
normal the tax reform project seems to be deadlocked. And that applies to both regions: in Wallonia, the PS and the MR United are against the Minister of Climate, Infrastructure, Energy and Mobility, Philippe Henry (Ecolo ahead), in Brussels it is estimated that the project will not come to fruition before 2024† But why is there so much procrastination†
And Wallonia?
during questions in the parliament Remained Secretary Henry evading the previous one and preferred not to set a starting point yet, this reform was expected before January 1, 2023.
But what’s wrong? the minister wanted include the weight of vehicles in its calculation formula,especially for SUVs to punish† But this method would also family cars such as station wagons or MPVs that are popular with families. This was impossiblejust like for electric vehicles that are with their electric vehicles.
What is the solution then? Well, clear the cabinet of the minister solution die the services of the reform project. Consultation is underway and we are very curious what will happen. Minister Henry’s room for maneuver is limited because he does not only have allies, on the contrary.
After the taxation of business activities for individuals after all, the MR has announced through its chairman, Georges-Louis Bouchez, that they will not vote for the reform of the car tax, because a logical and fair solution must be found. Bouchez also said that “We definitely don’t like the elements that have been leaked in the press and the level of the tax, because they are for the entrepreneurs and the middle class. We will bash this from people who have no choice but to accept their car.” never accept.”
The MR is not the only party asking questions. also the PS is concerned and consequences of the reform on the future budget revenue† Because by changing their behavior, buyers can have a lasting impact on revenue forecasts. In addition, the PS link this reference too to that of a reform of the tax on leasing carswhich requires an agreement of the three regions that will be impossible to become during this law.
It also blocks in Brussels
Brussels plans to implement a car tax reform. No more traffic tax from BIV here, but a kilometer charge whose rate changes the kilometers traveledthe engine capacity of the car, it weight (again!), but also the time when the miles traveled. That is the content of the Smart Move Project from the Brussels Minister of the Budget Sven Gatz (Open VLD) and Every Van den Brandt (Green). But here too things are seriously stalling. The PS is blocking the project, the border neighboring provinces indicates that it is mainly for commuters who have to pay taxes twice: that of Wallonia and the Brussels kilometer charge. That is unacceptable!
Shall this one kilometer charge see the light of day? Maybe, but maybe not in this legislature, men some well-informed observers. Sven Gatz itself acknowledged that “it is less likely for this legislatorbecause the file is technical and political”. However, Elke Van den Brandt is more confident and indicates that Smart Move will be implemented very quickly.
At least there’s one more long way to go before these tax reforms come into effect. But why? That’s a good question, we all have our idea about it. Why not do it first Flemish system in Brussels and Wallonia to create a more logical and favorable system for cars? In any case, this would argue give time to find a new system for all regions, without distinction. er how other ways of taxation can also be changed† like the purchase price van a car for example, as with the VA, which is fairly representative of the buyer’s capabilities. In any case, let’s hope that our decision-makers will take a global and truly positive view of both society and the environment.