Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/08/31
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]To expand a bit on Philippe's explanation: pros do not pay VAT IF they are registered and have a VAT number and collect VAT from their customers. This is what makes it a value-added tax: it is levied at each stage of the production process but only on the value added during that stage of the process. From the final consumer's point of view, it is no different than a US-style sales tax. Percentages vary from 15% in the UK to 25% in Denmark. Most countries levy zero or very low VAT on basic goods like food (sadly, no country considers Leica equipment to be a basic necessity...). Prices shown in European shops and on web sites here almost always INCLUDE the VAT (as opposed to the US where standard practice is to display prices without the sales tax). If the product being bought is exported or shipped outside the EU, then the VAT that is typically included in the price is not charged. Example: you buy something from a UK online retailer costing 1000 pounds (incl. VAT) and have it sent to the US--then you will actually pay 1000/1.15=869.57 pounds. And Philippe, under certain circumstances, too complicated to get into here, VAT can be payable on second-hand goods as well (if bought from a dealer). Nathan Nathan Wajsman Alicante, Spain http://www.frozenlight.eu http://www.greatpix.eu http://www.nathanfoto.com Books: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/search?search=wajsman&x=0&y=0 PICTURE OF THE WEEK: http://www.fotocycle.dk/paws Blog: http://www.fotocycle.dk/blog On Sep 1, 2009, at 7:10 AM, Philippe Amard wrote: > > Gary Dalton wrote: > >> Value Added Tax??? >> >> > exact - pros get a refund for it as it is only the last payer that > pays it, i.e. the client ... > VAT doesn't apply to SH goods > phx > > > >>> Date: Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:02:41 -0400 >>> From: mark at rabinergroup.com >>> To: lug at leica-users.org >>> Subject: Re: [Leica] Introduction of Leica M9 on 09.09.09 >>> >>> >>>> Also remember that the Euro price reflects high V.A.T. (which >>>> sometimes goes >>>> up to 20% or more). >>>> >>> Jim what the hell is a VAT? >>> >>> Inquiring Rabiners want to know. >>> >>> Now would be a good time. >>> Better than waiting till the 9th minute of the ninth day of the >>> rest of my >>> life. >>> >>> >>> Mark William Rabiner >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Leica Users Group. >>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >>> >> >> _________________________________________________________________ >> Get back to school stuff for them and cashback for you. >> http://www.bing.com/cashback?form=MSHYCB&publ=WLHMTAG&crea=TEXT_MSHYCB_BackToSchool_Cashback_BTSCashback_1x1 >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> >> >> > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information