Pay vehicle tax in Benin with Mobile Tax (TVM)

Do you have a car registered in Benin, even though you live in Belgium? Every year, you must pay vehicle tax: the TVM (taxe sur les véhicules à moteur, motor vehicle tax). Since December 2023, tax offices no longer accept cash: payment is made by Mobile Money, with the Mobile Tax app from Benin's tax authority (Direction générale des Impôts, DGI) or on the tvm.impots.bj platform. This guide explains both, with the rates and deadlines.

At a glance

Publisher: Benin's tax authority (Direction générale des Impôts, DGI)
Price: Free app; the tax is paid by Mobile Money
Devices: Android (Google Play). On iPhone or a computer: tvm.impots.bj
TVM deadline: By 30 April each year at the latest
Accepted operators: MTN and Moov in the app; Celtiis, MTN, Moov and Coris Money on tvm.impots.bj

Who has to pay the TVM?

The TVM is due on every motor vehicle with at least three wheels registered in Benin. It is payable by the owner in whose name the registration certificate is issued, for the vehicles they hold on 1 January. A vehicle put on the road during the year pays pro rata, within the first ten days of the month following its registration.

Living in Belgium does not exempt you from the TVM if your car remains registered in Benin. The roadworthiness test also requires proof of payment.

How much is the TVM in 2026?

For a private vehicle carrying passengers or goods, the 2026 General Tax Code (Code général des impôts, article 168) sets these annual amounts:

7 fiscal horsepower or less: 20,000 FCFA;
8 to 10 fiscal horsepower: 30,000 FCFA;
11 to 15 fiscal horsepower: 40,000 FCFA;
more than 15 fiscal horsepower: 60,000 FCFA;
tricycle: 15,000 FCFA.

Public transport vehicles and company passenger cars follow other scales. Late payment incurs a 20% penalty and can lead to the vehicle being impounded until the arrears are paid.

Pay vehicle tax from Belgium

The payment methods documented by the DGI are all Beninese Mobile Money accounts. We have found no official source on paying with a foreign bank card. From Belgium, there are two practical options:

keep an active Beninese Mobile Money number and pay yourself on tvm.impots.bj;
ask a relative or friend in Benin to pay: they enter the registration number and pay from their own account. The receipt is issued for the vehicle, not the payer.

Does your Beninese number still have only eight digits? Since 30 November 2024, you must add “01” in front: see our guide to the CONVNUM app.

What about the single property tax?

Mobile Tax also advertises payment of property tax. The single property tax (taxe foncière unique, TFU) is due every year from whoever owns a plot of land or a building in Benin on 1 January. The 2026 General Tax Code provides for an instalment of 50% of the previous year's TFU by 10 February, then the balance by 30 April.

Paying the TFU regularly creates a presumption of ownership: an important point for members of the diaspora who own property back home. How to pay the TFU in the app is not documented: if in doubt, contact the DGI.

Mobile Tax or tvm.impots.bj?

The Mobile Tax app has not been updated since July 2022 and its reviews mention sign-in problems. The tvm.impots.bj website does the same thing from any browser, accepts more operators and lets you download or check a receipt. If the app gets stuck, use the website instead. Company vehicles are paid for on e-services.impots.bj.

Pay vehicle tax with the Mobile Tax app

1Create your accountInstall Mobile Tax, enter your IFU (tax identification number) or your phone number, then the code you receive by text message. Choose a password of at least six characters with a capital letter, a lower-case letter and a number.
2Add your vehicleOpen “Ma TVM” (my TVM), enter the registration number (for example AB3345RB), then tap “Autoriser” (allow) and “Lier à mon compte” (link to my account).
3Choose the year to payTap the vehicle: the “Situation des taxes” (tax status) screen lists the years due and their amounts, penalties included.
4Pay by Mobile MoneyEnter the number that is paying, tap “Payer” (pay), then confirm with your Mobile Money code on your phone.
5Keep your receiptYou receive a text message with the receipt number. You can then download and check the receipt on tvm.impots.bj.

Screenshots : Mobile Tax

The vehicle's page and the years of TVM still due.
The payment details: tax, penalty and fees.
The confirmation, followed by a text message with the receipt.

Screenshot published by Directorate General of Taxes (DGI) on Google Play.

Frequently asked questions

What is the deadline to pay the TVM?

30 April each year, according to the 2025 and 2026 General Tax Codes. Some older sources mention 31 March: that date no longer applies.

How much is the TVM for a private car?

From 20,000 FCFA (7 fiscal horsepower or less) to 60,000 FCFA (more than 15 fiscal horsepower) a year. Allow 30,000 FCFA for 8 to 10 fiscal horsepower and 40,000 FCFA for 11 to 15.

Do I need an IFU to use Mobile Tax?

No: you can create the account with a phone number. If you want an IFU (tax identification number), you can apply for one free of charge online with your NPI at ifu.impots.bj.

Can I pay vehicle tax with a Belgian bank card?

We have found no official source that allows it. The documented channels all use Mobile Money in Benin (Celtiis, MTN, Moov, Coris Money). A relative or friend can pay for you from their account.

How do I find or check a TVM receipt?

On tvm.impots.bj, with the receipt reference, the number received by text message, or the registration number, the year and the phone number used.

The app rejects my password. What should I do?

Several users report this problem. Pay directly on tvm.impots.bj, which does not require an account, or write to the DGI at cdgi@finances.bj.

Sources

Guide checked in October 2026. The consulate does not publish any of these apps. For questions about how they work, contact the body that publishes them.

Mobile Tax: how to pay vehicle tax (TVM) in Benin