The publisher of The Times has won a legal appeal that could exempt digital news products from VAT. Newspapers are zero-rated for the tax because of their importance in holding parliament and public bodies to account and promoting literacy (Simon Duke writes). However, digital editions have not enjoyed the same benefit. In an upper tribunal ruling on a case brought by News UK, Mr Justice Zacaroli said that electronic and print versions were “sufficiently similar” to enjoy the same VAT treatment. Philip Munn, a VAT partner at RSM, an auditing and advisory firm, said the ruling was a “significant win for News UK” that had ramifications for other news organisations.

Source: The Times January 03, 2020 00:00 UTC