Adoption of position on proposal concerning VAT rates applied to books, newspapers and periodicals

The European Parliament's economic and monetary affairs committee approved on 3 May 2017 a position on a proposal on VAT rates books, newspapers and periodicals.

Members of the committee showed their support to the draft law, which enables member states to charge a reduced rate of VAT on e-books, bringing them into line with VAT levied on printed matter.

The proposal was put forward by the European Commission in December 2016. The European Parliament holds a consultative role only in this matter.

European Parliament: Press Release, 03.05.17: MEPs vote to lower VAT on e-books, aligning them with printed books http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20170502IPR73133/

The Irish Times, 04.05.17: Cheaper ebooks on the cards as MEPs vote to lower rate of VAT http://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/cheaper-ebooks-on-the-cards-as-meps-vote-to-lower-rate-of-vat-1.3071249

European Parliament: Press Release, 01.06.17: Reducing VAT on e-books, to match printed book rates http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20170529IPR76238/

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