Commission proposes new tax rules to support e-commerce and online businesses in the EU

The European Commission unveiled on 1 December 2016 a set of measures to improve the Value Added Tax (VAT) environment for e-commerce businesses in the European Union.

The proposals include the introduction of an EU wide portal for online VAT payments (the 'One Stop Shop') and the ability for member states to apply the same VAT rate to e-publications such as e-books and online newspapers as for their printed equivalents.

This package embraces a new approach to VAT for e-commerce and follow-up on the commitments made by the European Commission in the Digital Single Market (DSM) strategy and the Action Plan towards a single EU VAT area.

ESO: Background information: Modernising VAT for cross-border e-commerce: Commission launches public consultation http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-modernising-vat-for-cross-border-e-commerce-commission-launches-public-consultation/

European Commission: DG Communication: MEMO/16/3746, 01.12.16: Modernising VAT for e-commerce: Questions and Answers http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-16-3746_en.htm

EUObserver, 01.12.16: EU's new VAT rules likely to make ebooks cheaper https://euobserver.com/digital/136111

EurActiv, 01.12.16: Under pressure from national governments, Commission to lower VAT rates for e-books http://www.euractiv.com/section/euro-finance/news/under-pressure-from-national-governments-commission-will-allow-lower-vat-rates-for-e-books/

ESO: Background information: Digital single market: creating opportunities for European companies http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-digital-single-market-creating-opportunities-for-european-companies/

ESO: Background information: E-Books: Evolving Markets And New Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/e-books-evolving-markets-and-new-challenges/

European Commission: DG Communication: STATEMENT/16/4218, 01.12.16: Statement by Vice-President Ansip at the press conference to announce new tax rules to support e-commerce and online businesses in the EU http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-16-4218_en.htm

EUObserver, 19.06.17: Row between EU ministers halts e-book tax rate https://euobserver.com/economic/138276

---