Are Maps VAT Rated?
For those who are looking to snag a new map but live in a country that has VAT, you might be wondering if your purchase will have this tax added. Essentially, it depends on where you live, although maps are frequently zero-rated or don’t see added taxes as steep as other products.
That’s the short story, though. Want a closer look at the situation to see whether your map will be zero rated or not? Continue reading below to learn everything you need to know.
The Basics of VAT Rating
Taxes are confusing. Regardless of where you live, figuring out those mysteriously added charges — from the amount you’re actually paying to what falls under various tax purviews — is far more complicated than it should be. And if anything, VAT can often be even more head-scratching than other types of taxes on account of its fluctuations and the fact it has graduated levels depending on what you’re buying.
Don’t know what it is to begin with? VAT, short for Value-Added Tax, is a type of tax levied on certain goods and services in over more than 170 countries globally. Present in all countries within the EU and many others since the 1950s, VAT adds a percentage of additional cost at every point along the supply chain from production to sale, and is meant to increase government revenue without the high income taxes that some areas of the world use in its place.
Based on consumption over income, this does allow VAT to generate a good deal of money. But it’s not without its faults — namely that it puts a great deal of strain on middle and lower-class people and has a tendency to welcome more bureaucracy into the business world.
That’s not the greatest, and as you’d expect, people shy away from it as a result.
Are Maps VAT Rated?
Remember, VAT is a mainstay around the world and is applicable everywhere that’s part of the European Union, yet there are no universal rates or agreed-upon percentages. VAT rates can vary dramatically depending on where you live/where you’re shopping. For instance, according to figures from early this year, the standard rate in France is 20% whereas Japan is half that at only 10%.
Percentages also fluctuate from good to good and service to service. Luckily, printed matter usually gets the better end of the deal, maps included! In some areas like the UK, maps are actually zero-rated and others like Spain, Ireland, the Czech Republic, etc. apply reduced or super reduced VAT rates to them.
Your Country
Wondering how your particular country handles all this? Well, it’s surprisingly easy to find out. Just go to the Taxes and Europe database. They’ve got a comprehensive, updated list that’ll tell you exactly the rate you’re expected to pay when you grab that map you’ve been wanting for that upcoming road trip or Pinterest DIY!
If you’re outside the states yet buy a good chunk of your stuff through the US, though, go ahead and save yourself the trouble. Any map or other good/service purchased from here is not VAT-rated as we use sales, income, and other taxes instead.
