At both the national and European level, many are welcoming the arrival of the EU’s amendment, allowing member markets to tax ebooks and other digital formats at the same rate as print.
European Publishing Welcomes ECOFIN’s Decision on Taxation for Ebooks
A new decision allows EU member states to align VAT rates on print books and ebooks if they choose to, instead of a 15% minimum for electronic services.
Russia’s Clever Media Group Now Talking of September for North American Launch
Russian children’s publisher Clever Media Group is looking to publish English-language titles in US and Canadian markets this autumn, accelerating its international expansion plans.
Publishers Association Issues Statement on UK VAT for Digital Content
‘It makes no sense in the modern world that readers are being penalized with an additional 20-percent VAT for choosing to embrace digital,’ says the Publishers Association chief.
Russian Publishers Warn of Lost Profits Amid a Newly Announced VAT Hike
The prosperity that some in the Russian book industry thought was rising this year may be headed in the other direction, if the expected rise in book VAT becomes a reality.
It’s Springtime for Print, Say Some Russian Publishers: Others Eye Piracy, Discoverability Challenges
Some Russian publishers say that if piracy can be controlled, print can double its market share within years. Others caution that taxes and over-reliance on outdated authors is hampering growth.
Czech Publisher Grada Opens Bookport, an Ebook Subscription Platform
More than a quarter of the roughly 15,000 ebooks available in Czech are on the newly launched Bookport subscription platform, with more titles coming.
Czech Republic Inaugurates a Tax-Deductible Book Allowance for Employees
A new tax law allows Czech companies to offer tax-deductible book vouchers to employees. Publishers are hoping for a boost in book sales and book prices.
Czech Book Market Gains Tempered by Tax Rates, Falling Prices
Czech publishers see gains in 2016’s market performance but are concerned about stubbornly high VAT rates and falling book prices.
European Publishers Slam ‘Unwarranted Delay’ in VAT Reform for Book Formats
Citing the EC’s year-old proposal to allow member-states to tax print and digital book formats equally, the Federation of European Publishers demands action