For a long time we have been receiving news about the intention of changing VAT in the EU for ebooks. This news is important because in certain countries such as Spain, the reader would stop paying 21% VAT to pay the same as a book that has 4% VAT.
The process has begun and although we do not receive great results, the truth is that the European Commission in charge has already has opened a consultation for European citizens to provide their assessments to later make the draft bill.
The consultation on the VAT of ebooks will be valid until September 19
This query can be accessed from here and it will be open until September 19 of this year. The query tries to gather information on what type of VAT to apply, although a VAT rate equal to the 5% that some countries have imposed on ebooks, either apply a lower rate than that of books in Spain or assess whether to put a special rate as some publications have that it would be the same to not have to pay VAT. Another point to be addressed is how to adapt the electronic publications of the European Union to the challenges currently presented by the digital economy.
Furthermore, this survey has been sent to the most representative institutions and associations of the sector in the member countries so that they not only promote the survey but also participate in it.
Although it may seem silly, this query is very interesting because it takes a step towards the establishment of a general VAT rate for ebooks, but the most important thing is that such rate or such decision will start from the idea and opinion of the citizensIn short, from readers and not from publishers.