site.bta Federation of European Publishers Recommends Cutting VAT on Books in Bulgaria

The Federation of European Publishers (FEP) has made a recommendation to reduce VAT on books in Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Book Association (BBA) said on Monday. 

BBA has received a letter to this effect from FEP which has been sent to the Bulgarian National Assembly. 

The letter says that keeping the lowest possible taxes on books will contribute in having a viable publishing sector in Bulgaria, which will in turn have benefits in the medium and the long term, contributing to the country's economic recovery through culture, education and knowledge-based growth. FEP welcomes the political support for adopting a reduced VAT on books in Bulgaria and strongly recommends enacting the provision as soon as possible. 

Newly elected FEB President Ricardo Franco Levi notes that 25 EU member states have reduced VAT for books and the rates are not higher than 10%. 

The letter also says that reduced or zero VAT rates on books have a positive effect on book buying and therefore are an effective, easy and unobtrusive instrument to promote reading and spread knowledge and culture. 

BBA has held consultations on the issue with all parliamentary formations. During a hearing in the parliamentary Budget and Finance Committee, BBA head Dessislava Alexieva suggested keeping the 9% VAT on books as a permanent measure, and considering the eventual scrapping of this tax on books. 

Founded in 1967, FEP is an independent, non-commercial umbrella association of book publishers’ associations in the European Union. It represents 29 national associations of book publishers of the European Union and of the European Economic Area. BBA is a member of FEP.