Audiobooks: VAT

(asked on 15th March 2022) - View Source

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, about the potential merits of levying VAT on audiobooks.


Answered by
Lucy Frazer Portrait
Lucy Frazer
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
This question was answered on 23rd March 2022

Audiobooks, in both physical and digital format, are subject to VAT at the standard rate.

VAT has been designed as a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to the vast majority of goods and services, including audiobooks. VAT raised around £130 billion in 2019-20 and helps to fund key spending priorities.

VAT, as a matter of tax policy, is overseen by the HM Treasury. There are no planned discussions between the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on the merits of levying VAT on audiobooks.

The Government keeps all taxes under review, including VAT.

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