Should VAT on books be abolished?
In a bid to promote reading skills, the Danish government has announced it will abolish VAT on books - which at 25 percent is currently the highest in Europe. Danish media are delighted and hope that lower prices will boost reading among the population. In Finland, on the other hand, VAT on books was raised from 10 to 14 percent at the start of the year - a step which has drawn much criticism.
Investing in the joy of reading
Jyllands-Posten hopes the move will bring big changes:
“Denmark now has the opportunity to invest in literature, democratic education and the joy of reading - in one fell swoop. Abolishing VAT was the political component. Now comes the economic obligation to translate this into real change for the benefit of authors and readers. We have a historic opportunity to simultaneously promote reading, the economy of the literary system and good quality books. Now it all depends on how much of the small sum of 300 million kroner [around 40 million euros] will be channelled into cheaper and better books in a fairer and more sustainable literary ecosystem.”
TikTok not up to the job
By raising VAT on books from ten to 14 percent in January the Finnish government went back on its government programme, Helsingin Sanomat criticises:
“The government programme agreed on in spring 2023 emphasises the importance of Finnish education, training and knowledge. In particular, the government promised to promote reading skills among children and young people. If these groups can't develop comprehensive reading skills because families either don't want to or can't afford to buy expensive books, where are such skills supposed to be developed? On TikTok? ... It may be that the VAT hike was just about generating more tax revenues. But it's also possible that some of the people in power don't want these doors to be opened at all.”