Motor Vehicle Tax – Indispensable for Our Daily Activities!
- The Deadline for Payment of the Motor Vehicle Tax is May 31 (Thursday)-
This tax helps maintain our basic day-to-day services, such as social services, health, public facilities, etc. Without the payment of this tax, these services are jeopardized, for instance leaving roads in a dangerous state with holes unpaved. All taxpayers who own a car are urged to pay the motor vehicle tax promptly for the safe upkeep of our living environment.
The Motor Vehicle Tax is among the most common taxes. This is collected annually from any person who is registered as the owner of a vehicle on the base date of April 1 of the current year. If not paid, the person cannot have her or his vehicle go through the mandatory automobile safety inspection “shaken.” This tax is returned to the taxpayer in the form of a refund for any months left over in the event the taxpayer disposes (gets rid) of a car.
The tax notice for the Motor Vehicle Tax will be mailed to taxpayers this year on May 1. Payment is due by May 31. It can be paid at banks and post offices, convenience stores, and the Prefectural Tax Office “Kenzei Jimusho.”
Various General Amounts of Motor Vehicle Tax
The amount levied as Motor Vehicle Tax depends on the purpose, engine displacement, etc., of the vehicle. Check beforehand what the corresponding tax amount is for your car.
In case of cars that are gasoline engine cars registered as new on or prior to March 31, 1999, an approximately 10% higher motor vehicle tax is levied (Higher-rate Motor Vehicle Tax”).
Table of Motor Vehicle Tax Amounts
Passenger Vehicle
Engine displacement \ Regular Motor Vehicle Tax \ Higher-rate Motor Vehicle Tax
1,000cc or less \ 29,500 \ 32,400
1,001cc~1,500cc \ 34,500 \ 37,900
1,501cc~2,000cc \ 39,500 \ 43,400
2,001cc~2,500cc \ 45,000 \ 49,500
2,501cc~3,000cc \ 51,000 \ 56,100
Reduction of or Exemption from Motor Vehicle Tax
Persons with physical disability or severe psychological disablitity for whom it is recognized that the car is an important means of transportation can in certain cases apply for reduction of or exemption from Motor Vehicle Tax that they would have to pay. Such persons can consult the closest Prefectural Tax Office “Kenzei Jimusho” or the Motor Vehicle Tax Office “Jidoushazei Jimusho.”
In case of the following…
○ “I haven’t received my tax notice for the Motor Vehicle Tax…”:
① There was a change of ownership of vehicle on or prior to March 31, 2012
⇒ The tax notice is sent to the person registered on the data base as the owner of the vehicle on April 1, 2012
② You moved to a different address ⇒ Please notify the Prefectural Tax Office “Kenzei Jjimusho” or the Motor
Vehicle Tax Office “Jidoushazei Jimusho” to have the tax notice sent to your new address.
○ “I don’t have sufficient funds to pay the total amount of the tax at once”:
⇒ The Prefectural Tax Office “Kenzei Jimusho” will accept payment of the tax in installments in case it is not possible for you to pay the whole Motor Vehicle Tax at once, especially if you own several cars. Please consult with the office above for making the necessary arrangements.
○ “I have the money but I don’t feel like paying this tax”:
⇒ Persons who have overdue tax will be sent collection letters and letters of demand urging payment as soon as possible. Such persons who still do not pay will face having their property seized. This is done to maintain fairness with taxpayers who comply with paying this tax.
○ “What I should be careful of when selling or buying a car”:
⇒ To have your car go through mandantory automobile safety inspection “shaken, ” the taxpayer needs to obtain a tax payment certificate “Nouzei Shoumei.” When transferring the car to another person, you need to hand this tax payment certificate along with the car. Also, when another person transfers a car to the taxpayer, the taxpayer should make sure to receive the tax payment certificate from this person.
Where to contact concerning the Motor Vehicle Tax:
The Prefectural Tax Office “Kenzei Jimusho” for the Tomo region:
- Tobu Kenzei Jimusho Ota-Shi Nishihon-Cho 60-27 0276 (31) 3261
- Kiryu Gyosei Kenzei Jimusho Kenzei-Ka Kiryu-Shi Aioi-Cho 2-331 0277 (53) 2113
- Tatebayashi Gyosei Kenzei Jimusho Kenzei-Ka Tatebayashi-Shi Naka-Machi 11-10 0276 (72) 4461
- Isesaki Gyosei Kenzei Jimusho Kenzei-Ka Isesaki-Shi Imaizumi-Cho 1-22-1 0270 (24) 4350
The Motor Vehicle Tax Office “Jidoshazei Jimusho”:
- Jidoshazei Jimusho Maebashi-Shi Kamiizumi-Machi 397-5 027 (263) 4343