Publishing Ireland welcomes removal of VAT from audiobooks and ebooks
Publishing Ireland has welcomed the news in Budget 2024 that VAT is to be removed from ebooks and audiobooks.
While readers might debate whether enjoying a novel on an e-reader, listening to an audiobook, or turning the pages of a paperback is the most satisfying or convenient experience, it’s clear that taxation shouldn’t depend on whether you buy hardcopy or digital.
In 2017, all EU countries amended VAT rates for ebooks, with Ireland being one of the first countries to take advantage of this new path, reducing the rate to 9% that year. Now, with the announcement of Budget 2024, that figure is to drop to zero, falling in line with the rate physical books have enjoyed for many years.
Minister McGrath said that the question of VAT with regard to audiobooks and ebooks is an issue that he encounters frequently: “Ebooks are currently subject to a VAT rate of 9%, unlike printed books, which are zero rated. Audiobooks are not currently included in the VAT zero rating. Therefore, I have decided to zero rate these items from the first of January, 2024.”
Ivan O’Brien, President of Publishing Ireland said this was a positive change, and welcomed the news on behalf of the Irish publishing industry.
