PHILIPSBURG--The deadline by which motorists have to pay their 2016 motor vehicle tax will not be extended, Receiver Minerva Gumbs said.
The deadline, according to the law, was February 28. “We have no intention of extending the deadline as stipulated by law,” Gumbs said. A date for controls for payment has not yet been set, but authorities are “working out the details” and will announce the details soon.
Up to Tuesday, March 1, a total of 21,123 number plates had been sold, some 1,551 fewer plates than during the corresponding period last year, when 22,674 plates were sold.
Gumbs said that while she was satisfied with payments made thus far and since the deadline, the lines were still long. “I would like to see people pay earlier and take advantage of the extended hours that we open to facilitate them, instead of waiting until the very last day,” she said.
This Saturday, March 5, will be the last Saturday the Receiver’s Office will open late to accommodate motorists who cannot make it during the week. The office will be open from 9:00am to 2:00pm.
Motorists who have not yet paid their motor vehicle tax can lose their number plates permanently.
A total of 30,737 pairs of number plates were ordered for motorists for this year. The 2016 plates are aqua-green in colour, feature an aerial shot of St. Maarten in the background and bear the words “The Friendly Island” at the top and “St. Maarten” at the bottom.
A valid insurance document and an inspection card are needed for payment to be processed. The price for the number plates is NAf. 12.50 for all types of vehicles and NAf. 7.50 for motorbikes. Motorists with number plates M, P, SXM, MR (ministers) and PAR (parliament) will pay NAf. 275 in motor vehicle tax for gasoline-operated vehicles and NAf. 750 for diesel fuel-operated ones.
Motorists with R plates will pay NAf. 300 for gasoline-operated vehicles and NAf. 750 for diesel fuel-operated vehicles. Taxis, BUS, G (group) and T (tour buses with 35 passengers or less) pay NAf. 275 for gasoline-operated vehicles and NAf. 550 for diesel fuel-operated vehicles.
Vehicles with V and Z plates that weigh more than 3,500kg will pay NAf. 1,250 for gasoline- or diesel fuel-operated vehicles. Vehicles with V plates that weigh less than 3,500kg will pay NAf. 275 for gasoline-operated vehicles and NAf. 750 for diesel fuel-operated vehicles.
Persons with MF (motorbike) plates will pay NAf. 200 and those with MF (mopeds) will pay NAf. 50 in motor vehicle tax.
