Thai Government Offers Car Tax Breaks for Elderly and Disabled Citizens

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Thailand's Excise Department is preparing to implement a new rule that will remove tax on vehicles specifically designed for the elderly or individuals with disabilities, reducing the current tax rates on such vehicles from 25 to 40%. The Director-General of the Department, Ekniti Nitithanprapas, explained the current rules and how the new regulation would change them.

 

At present, vehicles with 10 or more seats, like passenger vans, do not have to pay excise tax. But if a vehicle is altered by removing seats for the installation of special equipment for disabled or elderly individuals, thereby dropping the number of seats to less than 10, then it becomes subject to an excise tax of 25 to 40%.

 

Aiming to endorse equality and convenience for elderly and disabled individuals, as well as supporting Thailand's objective to become a medical hub, the Excise Department is planning to propose a new rule to the Finance Ministry. This will exclude such altered vehicles from excise tax.

 

To prevent misuse of this new rule, the Department will demand proof that the vehicle modifications are specifically made for elderly or disabled persons. Relevant agencies will be tasked with conducting inspections and providing certifications.

In addition, the Department aims to release a statement detailing guidelines and requirements for special equipment for elderly or disabled people like lifts, seatbelt systems, and wheelchair securement systems. This will include specifications for symbols and text indicating that the vehicle is intended for use by elderly or disabled persons, stated Ekniti.

 

“This move will not only assist the elderly and the disabled but will also encourage innovation in the auto industry,” he added.

 

Ekniti further mentioned that the Excise Department is now focusing not just on taxing products that affect the environment, health, or luxury items, but also on promoting societal wellbeing.

 

One example of this is the sugar tax implemented previously to motivate beverage manufacturers to lower the sugar levels in their products, aiming to combat the increase in diabetes cases in Thailand. This has led to a significant decrease in the production of sugary drinks over the past four to five years, reducing beverages containing more than 14 grams of sugar per liter from 819 million liters per year to just 16 million liters annually.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-10-03