Equal rules for taxing e-books, e-newspapers and their printed equivalents

[Sweetpea]

The European commission has finally woken up and are now working on new laws regarding the VAT rules for ebooks (among others).

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-16-4010_en.htm

The relevant part:

Equal rules for taxing e-books, e-newspapers and their printed equivalents:
Current rules allow Member States to tax printed publications such as books and newspapers at reduced rates or, in some cases, super-reduced or zero rates. The same rules exclude e-publications, meaning that these products must be taxed at the standard rate. Once agreed by all Member States, the new set-up will allow – but not oblige – Member States to align the rates on e-publications to those on printed publications.

Let's hope this will pass soon and our relevant governments implement it it quickly!

[crane3]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

The European commission has finally woken up and are now working on new laws regarding the VAT rules for ebooks (among others).

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-16-4010_en.htm

The relevant part:




Let's hope this will pass soon and our relevant governments implement it it quickly!

Now watch the lawyers make lots of money on lawsuits to define what is a "newspaper" or ebook.

I can see that Amazon may have a problem with their online reading subscriptions or even the websites that charge money for reading. Then, again, are the cloud downloading sites selling hi-speed downloading and file storage also selling "ebooks". Aren't user manuals an ebook that is downloaded for free from the manufacturer?
Mangas/comics are also ebooks. Would a provider of ebooks need to provide proof that they didn't go beyond the revenue limit?

I expect that one day we will be taxed for the CO2 that we send into the air unless we are no longer living.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by crane3

I expect that one day we will be taxed for the CO2 that we send into the air unless we are no longer living.

Corpses are considered hazardous. I wouldn't expect lack of life function to let you off of paying taxes.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by crane3

Now watch the lawyers make lots of money on lawsuits to define what is a "newspaper" or ebook.

I can see that Amazon may have a problem with their online reading subscriptions or even the websites that charge money for reading. Then, again, are the cloud downloading sites selling hi-speed downloading and file storage also selling "ebooks". Aren't user manuals an ebook that is downloaded for free from the manufacturer?
Mangas/comics are also ebooks. Would a provider of ebooks need to provide proof that they didn't go beyond the revenue limit?

I expect that one day we will be taxed for the CO2 that we send into the air unless we are no longer living.

I don't think you'll see this. Countries like France and Luxembourg already had low VAT rates on their ebooks but were called back by the EU. Once this rule becomes ratified, I think those two countries will decrease the VAT again. And I know the Dutch government was a very strong proponent of the low VAT rate for ebooks.

[church mouse]

Sweetpea is correct - the proposal is to place ebooks in the same category as other published material such as paper books so that ebooks can be charged VAT at a lower or nil rate.

Low or nil tax on books etc was seen as a good thing to encourage literacy. It is becoming increasingly anomalous that electronic books cannot benefit from this.

Sent from my YOGA Tablet 2-830F using Tapatalk

[mathil]

Here in Italy the government decided to change the VAT for ebooks to 4%, same as print, two years ago. Good to see we won't have to change it back or risk receiving sanctions from the EU.

[Little.Egret]

Originally Posted by mathil

Here in Italy the government decided to change the VAT for ebooks to 4%, same as print, two years ago. Good to see we won't have to change it back or risk receiving sanctions from the EU.

ISTR that Italy required ebooks to have an ISBN to quality for the lower rate.

[Ravensknight]

Originally Posted by Little.Egret

ISTR that Italy required ebooks to have an ISBN to quality for the lower rate.

I can't speak for the government, but for the booksite aNobi.com, it was isbn or nothing. No exceptions except for old books before isbn's. So any kindle exclusive was out. It made me sad :-(

[Little.Egret]

Originally Posted by Ravensknight

I can't speak for the government, but for the booksite aNobi.com, it was isbn or nothing. No exceptions except for old books before isbn's. So any kindle exclusive was out. It made me sad :-(

A Kindle exclusive /can/ have an ISBN. Still would be contractually Kindle bookstore only during the exclusive contractual period however.