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Taxes & Duties

Vehicle tax

Annual motor vehicle tax, which is automatically assessed upon registration and collected via SEPA direct debit.

Processing: approx. 2 weeks
Online application possibleSuccess rate: 99.0 %

How to proceed

  1. 1

    Register a vehicle

    The vehicle tax is automatically reported to Customs by the registration office.

  2. 2

    Issue a SEPA Direct Debit Mandate

    During the approval process, the mandate is filed with the main customs offices.

  3. 3

    Received a tax assessment

    The Main Customs Office sends the tax assessment notice by mail.

Required documents

  • Certificate of Registration, Part IMandatory
  • SEPA Direct Debit MandateMandatoryOften forgotten

Responsible authority

The authority of your main place of residence is responsible.Find authority →

Fees

Varies by case

Processing time

approx. 2 weeks

Official: max. approx. 1 months

Online application

Online possible – at the responsible authority

Common mistakes

  • • Tax exemption (e.g., for electric cars) not applied for
  • • Bank account information not updated upon change of ownership

Common reasons for rejection

  • • SEPA direct debit mandate is missing or invalid

You can usually file an objection against a rejection.

The essentials before applying

Who is eligible?

All owners of registered motor vehicles in Germany.

Income limit

The limit varies by household and region – see the table at the responsible authority or in the application assistant.

Processing time

Nationwide: approx. approx. 2 weeks

Success rate

approx. 99.0 % (estimate)

Most common mistakes

  • •Tax exemption (e.g., for electric cars) not applied for
  • •Bank account information not updated upon change of ownership

Common reasons for rejection

  • •SEPA direct debit mandate is missing or invalid

Alternatives

  • Check related services in the application assistant
  • Use social counselling before applying

If rejected

File a written objection within 30 days – with reasons why the decision is wrong and any missing evidence.

Questions & Answers

Are electric cars exempt from vehicle tax?▼

Yes, pure electric vehicles are exempt from vehicle tax for 10 years if they are first registered by the end of 2025 (as of 2024).

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