UK Government Closes Tax Loophole - May Mean End of 99P Songs

From Engadget:

  Quote

Buried within the latest budget plan for the UK, Chancellor George Osborne announced new laws that would ensure internet downloads from the likes of iTunes, Google Play Amazon and game networks would be taxed in the country they're bought in. In the case of the UK, that would be around 20 percent VAT, substantially more than selling through countries like Luxembourg where the rate can be around 3 percent. Separate to the government's grand plans for its digital future, the new rule would start January 1st 2015 -- "ensuring these are taxed fairly and helping to protect revenue." According to the government's estimates, it could net around £300 million in extra tax income, although it's likely to bring digital download pricing (unfortunately) closer to physical media in the process.

this is absolute fucking bollocks.

tracks are 99¢ in US, and 99p here currently. that means people in the UK have already been paying more than the US anyway. absolute bollocks.

A lot of iTunes tracks are up to $1.29 (+ state sales tax) here in the U.S. Tuff noogs, you guys.

  On 3/24/2014 at 6:57 PM, doublename said:

A lot of iTunes tracks are up to $1.29 (+ state sales tax) here in the U.S. Tuff noogs, you guys.

isn't that for lossless iTunes files?

my point was that the UK has always paid more for tracks anyway.

we should be allowed to pay in Dogecoin.

So a track is going to be £1.20 instead of £1.00. OMG. How will you digital buyers cope?

  On 3/24/2014 at 7:10 PM, KGW said:

So a track is going to be £1.20 instead of £1.00. OMG. How will you digital buyers cope?

erm, piratebaye lol