Laiminlyöntimaksu

Laiminlyöntimaksu is a Finnish tax concept designed to offset the tax benefits of buying a new car. It is also known as "latemaksu" in Finnish. The laiminlyöntimaksu is a flat-rate tax that is levied on passenger cars and light trucks purchased in Finland, and it is part of the country's Value Added Tax (VAT) system.

When a passenger car is bought in Finland, the Finnish Tax Administration (Vero) requires the seller to pay a laiminlyöntimaksu to the state. The tax is typically charged by the seller at the point of sale and is usually included in the purchase price of the vehicle. However, the tax is not always passed on to the buyer in the form of a higher purchase price, as sellers may absorb the cost.

The amount of the laiminlyöntimaksu varies depending on the type of vehicle and its engine displacement. For cars with an engine displacement of up to 1400cc, the tax is a fixed rate of 11.5% of the car's value, while for cars with a larger engine, the tax rate is 10.1%. Additionally, electric cars are exempt from laiminlyöntimaksu.

The purpose of the laiminlyöntimaksu is to discourage people from buying new cars too frequently, as such purchases can be motivated by tax considerations rather than genuine need. By imposing a tax on new car purchases, the Finnish government aims to reduce the economic efficiencies of buying new cars and encourage buyers to consider other options, such as buying second-hand or leasing a car.