MOTORCYCLE ACTION
Sweden-Tax return for 2nd bikes
PRESS RELEASE
from SMC Sweden (Maria Nordqvist, maria.nordqvist@svmc.se)
3rd July 2000
Swedish tax authorities forced to reimburse 6.25 million Euros in purchase
tax 
Everyone who has imported a secondhand motorcycle for private use to Sweden
from another EU country after 1 January 1995 are entitled to get part of
the purchase tax back.

This is the fact of the decision made by the highest court in Sweden,
Regeringsratten, 6 June 2000. In total SEK 50 millions (6.25 million Euros)
will be paid back to owners of cars and motorcycles. Purchase taxes are
paid in EU countries but the Swedish tax authorities must consider the loss
of value of the seconhand vehicle and reduce the tax with the age of the
motorcycle. This has not been made in Sweden. When you have imported a
motorcycle to Sweden you have been forced to pay full tax with maximum 562
Euros but according to the judgement, the tax is now reduced depending on
the age of the motorcycle.  

An example from the Swedish mc-magazine "Bike" is Magnus Hansson who
imported a XV 1000 Yamaha Virago from 1994. He got his purchase tax reduced
with 368 Euros. The money will be paid back automatically with interest
this autumn.

Those who are about to import a secondhand motorcycle from a country in EU
will get reduced tax because of this judgement.
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