MP tables motion for zero-rate VAT on audiobooks

Illustration of book and headphones, representing an audiobook
Picture of Jasmine Scott

Jasmine Scott

Jasmine joined the SoA in January 2023. She leads the Communications team and sets communications strategy for the whole organisation. Jasmine also manages the production of the SoA’s journal, The Author.
Sir Mike Penning MP submits an Early Day Motion and asks our members to write to their own MPs about the tax on audiobooks

On 24 February, the SoA received a letter from The Rt Hon Sir Mike Penning MP regarding his submission of an Early Day Motion on zero-rate VAT for audiobooks to Parliament.

We have campaigned for equal VAT-status to be applied to physical books, ebooks and audiobooks. The VAT rate for ebooks was scrapped by the government in 2020, but the VAT on audiobooks remains at 20%.

Charging VAT on audiobooks risks stifling digital innovation and impeding access to reading for visually impaired, dyslexic or other reading disabled people.

We welcome the MP’s action on this issue and encourage our members to contact their local MP to sign the Early Day Motion.

Please see the MP’s full letter to the SoA here:

To find your local MP, check here.

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