Press publishers in Europe respond to public consultation on reduced VAT rates for electronically supplied publications
ENPA - the European Newspaper Publishers’ Association - and EMMA - the European Magazine Media Association – have responded to the public consultation launched by the European Commission on reduced VAT rates for electronically supplied publications.
This public consultation paves the way for the Commission’s upcoming proposal which would allow Member States to apply the same zero, super reduced or reduced VAT rates applicable for printed newspapers and magazines also to the digital environment. In its reply to the public consultation, ENPA and EMMA have reiterated the urgent need for such a legislative change in the VAT legislation.
On 6th May 2015, European Commission President Juncker made a speech at the BDZV congress in Brussels in which he declared support for a reduction of VAT on digital press and stated that the Commission would come forward with a proposal. This intention has been recently confirmed by Commissioner Moscovici which highlighted the Commission’s plan to present a proposal by the end of 2016 allowing Member States to lower VAT rates for the press in the digital environment.
In their joint submission, ENPA and EMMA have highlighted the positive economic benefit of such a change for the sustainability of press publishing companies and for responding to readers’ increasing demand for professional journalistic content and innovative services in the digital environment. Publishers would be able to keep a high level of investment in editorial content whilst maintaining the lowest possible price for readers.
Finally, the press publishing sector in Europe plays a key-role in education and literacy at a time when our society, especially the young generation, are increasingly reading news on all digital platforms. Reducing VAT on the digital press would improve accessibility to pluralistic and diverse press content, which is crucial for safeguarding Europe’s democratic values, media pluralism and cultural diversity.
For further information contact:
Joy de Looz-Corswarem
EU Affairs Manager, EMMA
+32 2 536 06 08
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.
www.magazinemedia.euThe 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.
www.enpa.eu