Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Magazines are included within the term ‘periodicals’. This includes weekly magazines and sectoral publications covering sport, entertainment, fashion, health, etc. that are published regularly or occasionally.

Point (6) of Annex III of the VAT Directive allows for the application of a reduced rate of VAT or zero-rate to periodicals, including magazines. However, the VAT Directive does not distinguish between types of periodicals. A zero-rating could not be introduced in respect of ‘magazines’ only, instead it would have to cover all periodicals regardless of the type and content of the publication. The estimated annual cost of such a measure is €15m.

It should also be noted that periodicals supplied in both physical and digital formats already benefit from the second reduced rate of VAT of 9%.