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Reader devices

Reader devices

Posted Aug 9, 2012 21:05 UTC (Thu) by Wol (subscriber, #4433)
In reply to: Reader devices by madhatter
Parent article: The Nexus 7: Google ships a tablet

Not sure why e-books (and books with CDs) attract VAT, but it's an unfortunate fact that once VAT has been imposed it can't be removed. But I suspect it's a hangover from the old "VAT is charged on luxury items, not essentials", and when they first came out CDs and e-books were classed as luxuries.

That's why VAT is now 5% on gas and electric - once UK law put it on, European law prevented it being taken off.

Cheers,
Wol

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Reader devices

Posted Aug 10, 2012 16:22 UTC (Fri) by nix (subscriber, #2304) [Link]

Well, that's a classic example of the UK's tendency to over-implement EU directives far more officiously than anyone else. Other EU nations have occasionally removed VAT on existing things, EU directives be damned -- and the directive in question does not prevent you from making anything be VAT-rated at 0% (which is not technically the same as making it VAT-exempt but has the same effect).


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