The recent revelation that vehicle dealers have overcharged customers a staggering Nu 30.9 million in Green Tax exposes not just the unscrupulous behavior of car dealerships, but also an unsettling complicity from the government in allowing this injustice to continue unchecked for so long.
The Department of Revenue and Customs (DRC) has uncovered that a majority of dealers inflated Green Tax charges, resulting in over 4,300 customers being swindled out of their hard-earned money. But what is perhaps more infuriating than the dealers’ misconduct is the role of the government, which has failed to hold them accountable in any meaningful way and continues to hide critical information from the public.
The Green Tax, which is supposed to be a transparent and fair system of taxation on vehicle imports, has been distorted by a system that allows dealers to profit at the expense of unsuspecting customers. Dealers are required to pay Green Tax, Customs Duty, and other charges at the point of entry, but the system allows them to pass on inflated figures to the public.
In this case, the DRC’s audit uncovered that these inflated Green Tax charges were not a clerical mistake or a result of poor accounting practices, but a deliberate effort to overcharge customers. And yet, the government, despite being fully aware of the actual Green Tax rates, has failed to disclose these figures to the public.
This deliberate withholding of information leaves the public vulnerable to exploitation. If the government were transparent about the actual rates, customers would be able to compare prices across dealerships and identify instances of overcharging. Instead, the DRC has remained largely silent, choosing to issue refunds without addressing the systemic failures that allowed this situation to persist.
The government’s reluctance to disclose accurate Green Tax rates raises a disturbing question as to whether the government knowingly enabling a system that benefits certain parties at the expense of the public? Its stance on this issue comes across as reactive rather than proactive as it lacks the urgency or commitment needed to truly protect consumers.
Despite the clear evidence of overcharging, the DRC has only required the dealers to refund the excess Green Tax amounts. There are no immediate financial penalties or legal consequences for the dealerships. This not only sends a message of leniency but also sets a dangerous precedent for future tax fraud. If dealers can get away with such blatant misconduct without facing serious repercussions, it is likely that others will follow suit.
The government must demonstrate real accountability and take steps to address not only the dealers’ actions but also its own role in perpetuating this cycle of exploitation. Until there is full transparency regarding Green Tax rates, an overhaul of the vehicle tax system, and genuine consequences for those who abuse the system, the public will continue to bear the brunt of this silent scam.
