Press releases

European Commission launches public consultation on reduced VAT rates for electronically supplied publications

EMMA welcomes the launch of the European Commission's public consultation on reduced VAT rates for the digital press, which aims to more precisely determine which "electronically supplied publications" would qualify for reduced, super-reduced or zero VAT rates in EU Member States. This consultation follows an announcement in April by Commissioner Moscovici that there would be a specific proposal coming up this year to reduce VAT rates for e-publications.

“There is an urgent need for the EU to update its VAT system in order to match the reality of today’s press market," said Max von Abendroth, Executive Director of EMMA. "Today, member states are able to apply zero, reduced or super-reduced VAT rates to the printed press, but must apply the standard VAT rates to digital content. This situation no longer reflects reality, as citizens consume press content across all existing platforms - be paper, the Internet, mobile, tablets or social media.”

European press publishers have long been calling for a reform of the VAT regime that would modernise the rules and take into account today´s reality.

For further information contact:

Max von Abendroth 
Executive Director, EMMA

max.abendroth@magazinemedia.eu

+32 2 536 06 04

  • EMMA

    The European Magazine Media Association, is the unique and complete representation of Europe’s magazine media, which is today enjoyed by millions of consumers on various platforms, encompassing both paper and digital formats.

  • ENPA

    The European Newspaper Publishers’ Association (ENPA) is the largest representative body of newspaper publishers across Europe. ENPA advocates for 14 national associations across 14 European countries, and is a principal interlocutor to the EU institutions and a key driver of media policy debates in the European Union.