One municipality in Osijek-Baranja County introduced a new tax, one to be paid for simply driving along the local roads. It doesn’t affect all residents, though – only farmers.
The sowing season has begun, and what was supposed to be the most satisfying time of year for the farmers from Čeminac village (Osijek-Baranja County) got ruined by an unexpected financial burden. A new tax was introduced in Čeminac Municipality, one that affects those citizens who are simply using local roads, reports RTL Vijesti on October 14, 2017.
“I registered my tractor in time, and I have already paid all taxes, registration fees, tolls and whatever else was needed. Now, I have to pay the local authorities yet again, this time for using municipal roads”, said local farmer Petar Pranjić.
Who has to pay the new tax? Owners of agricultural machines, trucks or trailers; those who own personal vehicles, motorbikes or bicycles are exempt from this mind-boggling tax.
According to the locals, notice about the new tax was introduced in a pretty weird way. “We found the notice tucked into fences or mailboxes belonging to those people who don’t even own the types of vehicles that should be registered, and us who do own them haven’t got any notice at all. We had to look around the village to find a sample that hasn’t ended up in the trash or got set on fire”, said farmer Rade Vidić, adding he can’t believe they will now have to pay extra for driving around local streets, in their own villages. “We don’t have to pay to use the county roads, but these non-specified roads that are part of the municipality will now be maintained using money from the tax we’ll be paying”, said Vidić.
Mayor Zlatko Pinjur didn’t want to talk to the reporters, as he considers he shouldn’t further explain his decision. Farmers, on the other hand, first thought the obligation to obtain permits for using public spaces in Čeminac Municipality was a joke.
“This is truly a situation out of a Candid Camera show. If it’s not a prank, then I suggest all municipalities in Croatia should introduce this tax. It would be fair for them to at least allow us to pay the fee using the ENC system, as this is completely insane”, said Milenko Jumić, another Čeminac farmer.
The registration deadline for tractors, trailers, trucks and combine harvesters passed at the end of September. The expenses for Rade Vidić alone will exceed the total amount he planned by at least 5000 kuna, all owing to the new tax. If they’re lucky enough to avoid a natural disaster or low redemption prices any given year, something else is sure to pop up, said the frustrated farmers.
“We’re planting barley at the moment, then wheat, and so on. The local authorities will basically get half of what I own, and I have no idea how I’ll survive and for how long”, said Pranjić.
Those farmers who don’t register their vehicles and machines will be penalised with an amount 50% higher than the tax they are expected to pay.
