For a long time, there have been calls for a reduction in the VAT on digital books and newspapers , bringing it in line with that of traditional printed books. Unfortunately, this seems a long way off for all of us who enjoy digital reading, especially since just a few hours ago the Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the European Union issued an opinion against reducing the tax levied on ebooks.
The decision, which is not binding but far-reaching, has to do with the claim initiated by the Polish Constitutional Court. Once again the circle closes again, harming users and agreeing with the increasingly entrenched European Commission.
The regulation continues to stipulate that the reduced VAT rate can only be applied to books, newspapers, and magazines that are "supplied on a physical medium." This means that digital books continue to be subject to an unfair 21% VAT rate, which many governments across the European Union are trying to reduce through various means without much success.
Now the ball is back in the court of the European Commission, which will be pronounced in a binding way at the end of 2016, although with the precedents that we have, everything indicates that unfortunately the VAT of digital books, as well as of the press and digital magazines will not move, except surprise, from 21%.
Do you think the European Commission should lower the VAT on eBooks to 4%?