LTA to refund S$1.4 million in road tax after publication error found

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will refund S$1.4 million (US$1.08 million) in road tax after identifying a discrepancy between the correct rates and those charged.

According to information released on 28 November 2025, the refunds will be issued to about 1,700 owners of diesel and diesel-hybrid goods-cum-passengers vehicles.

LTA said the refunds apply to road tax collected between 1 August 2022 and 30 November 2025, following the discovery of incorrectly published rates.

The authority explained that biannual road tax rates for that period should have been S$372 for vehicles with a maximum laden weight not exceeding 3.5 metric tonnes.

For vehicles exceeding 3.5 metric tonnes, the correct biannual rate was S$487.

However, LTA noted that legislative amendments made in 2020 mistakenly published the rates as S$298 and S$390 respectively.

The error was discovered in March 2025 during a legislative review, and the subsidiary legislation now reflects the correct figures.

LTA stated that it “apologises for the error” and has strengthened internal processes to prevent similar issues in future.

Refunds will be credited through GIRO or PayNow, and affected vehicle owners will not need to take further action.

LTA said the refunds are expected to be paid in early 2026.

Recipients will receive an e-notification and SMS once the refund has been processed, or a hardcopy letter where applicable.

The authority emphasised that its notifications will not include clickable links and that it will not request personal information over the phone.

This measure is intended to protect vehicle owners from scams, especially during the refund exercise.