Drivers of Misawa, it's road tax time Published Feb. 21, 2012 By Airman Kenna Jackson 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Aomori Japanese officials are scheduled to collect road taxes from all Status of Forces Agreement members at the base Mokuteki Community Center ballroom from April 23 to 27. Any SOFA member owning a standard size vehicle, small vehicle, motorcycle or moped is responsible for paying the road tax each year. People who are scheduled for permanent change of station, separation or are going to resale or scrap their vehicle are not exempt from paying the tax. Failure to do so will warrant a six-month license suspension, said Nicholas Palmer, 35th Security Forces Pass and Registration security assistant. "The tax collected is used to aid in the maintenance of Japanese roads," said Palmer. Japanese yen is the only currency accepted as payment. For those who need to convert their money, currency converting representatives are scheduled to be at the Mokuteki as well. Before paying the road tax, people should have their Japanese vehicle title, up-to-date Japanese Compulsory Insurance certificate, proof of liability insurance, base registration "Form 71" and road tax receipt from last year. "The process will be a piece of cake," said Palmer. "Just walk into the Mokuteki, wait for the Japanese officials to call your name and pay the tax. There also will be volunteers distributing decals for vehicles." The decal should be placed at the top center of a vehicle's windshield and below the JCI decal. Security Forces Airmen will be present to assist individuals to scrape off old decals and place new decals on the vehicle. The new decal must be affixed no later than June 1 or offenders will be ticketed, added Palmer. Alternate avenues to pay the road tax include making payment to the driver's insurance company or other off-base insurance companies. Once the tax payment is made, drivers must take their receipt to the 35 SFS pass and registration office to receive their decal. Vehicle owners who are unable to make the scheduled dates to pay their taxes may have another person pay for them; no power of attorney is required. Below are the scheduled days, times and rates. People should attend according to the first letter of their last name. For more information, contact the Pass and Registration office at 226-3995. Letters A-I should report April 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Letters J-R should report April 24, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Letters S-Z should report April 25, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Make-up days are scheduled for April 26 and 27 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. License Plate Number Road Tax Cost H11 E (OR) Y, H100 E (OR) Y 32,000 H33 E (OR) Y/H300 E (OR) Y 4.5 Liters and Up 22,000 H33 E (OR) Y/H300 E (OR) Y 4.5 Liters and Below 19,000 H44 E (OR) Y, H55 E (OR) Y, H56 Y, H57 Y, H400 E (OR) Y, H500 E (OR) Y 7,500 HA/HB (AND) 1B 1,000 1,000 P/W/Y 500