VAT rates for e-books

Amanda Tickel

The UK is refusing to allow a reduced VAT rate for e-books while other EU states are changing their law. With e-publishing growing rapidly will Britain lose out to more competitive European tax regimes?

MPs the UK Treasury and HMRC policy all insist that while the zero rate applies to physical books it cannot apply to digital downloads of books because of EU legal restrictions.

But other Member States have announced new rules for e-books from 1 January 2012. France introduced a reduced rate of 7% and Luxembourg of just 3%. Good news for publishers in France and Luxembourg. How can UK publishers compete on this unlevel playing field and will this lead...

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The UK is refusing to allow a reduced VAT rate for e-books while other EU states are changing their law. With e-publishing growing rapidly will Britain lose out to more competitive European tax regimes?

MPs the UK Treasury and HMRC policy all insist that while the zero rate applies to physical books it cannot apply to digital downloads of books because of EU legal restrictions.

If you or your firm subscribes to Taxjournal.com, please click the login box below:

If you do not subscribe but are a registered user, please enter your details in the following boxes: