Simple way to end boat tax evasion

IN response to the article by Conor Keane (‘Revenue focus on tax-evading yachtsmen,’ Irish Examiner, June 20), the Irish Marine Federation (IMF) — the trade association for the marine industry, affiliated to IBEC — supports the Revenue Commissioners in their ongoing pursuit of tax evaders and always encourages IMF member companies to assist Revenue whenever possible.

However, boat-owners who have bought their boats and equipment in Ireland through an IMF member firm will be tax compliant and should have nothing to fear from Revenue’s investigation, provided that all of their paperwork has been kept in order.

VAT and import duty evasion could be erased overnight if the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources implemented the simple but effective scheme of boat registration as drawn up by the IMF and presented to the previous minister of communications more than 18 months ago.

The photograph accompanying the article, clearly taken overseas, shows a registered boat in the foreground.

Such a scheme in Ireland would immediately identify boats that were not compliant in terms of taxation, insurance and other safety issues such as CE marking.

This would make for a safer, a more compliant marine leisure market and would assist in the encouragement of new investment in much needed marine related infrastructure.

Stephen Conlon

Irish Marine Federation

Confederation House

84/86 Lr Baggot Street

Dublin 2