Axe the Reading Tax

Campaigning to end the illogical tax on e-publications to ensure equal access to knowledge for all #AxetheReadingTax

[Axe the Reading Tax @AxeReadingTax]

Axing the Reading Tax with immediate effect is exactly the right response from @RishiSunak in these difficult times. With people doing the right thing and staying at home it is great that they will no longer have to pay tax on e-books to keep them and their kids entertained.

[Rishi Sunak @RishiSunak]

🆕We’re fast-tracking our plans to scrap the reading tax. From tomorrow, VAT will no longer be paid on e-publications.

This could help slash the cost of e-books and newspapers making reading more accessible during the lockdown. https://t.co/FidV5PFMlr

[Axe the Reading Tax @AxeReadingTax]

@littleamiss His point is that the physical format of a downloadable audiobook is a CD audiobook, rather than a physical book, and both forms of audiobooks are consistently taxed at 20%. We believe an audiobook should be treated like a physical book and reading should not be taxed!

[Axe the Reading Tax @AxeReadingTax]

@littleamiss Hi there! Thank you so much for writing to your MP in support of the campaign. The argument your MP is making is that the 20% tax on e-books was removed to bring VAT on the digital format of a book in line with the physical format.

[Axe the Reading Tax @AxeReadingTax]

@cw1985 Thank you so much for your support!

[Axe the Reading Tax @AxeReadingTax]

@JemmaHatt Thank you so much for your support!

[RNIB Campaigns @RNIB_campaigns]

We completely agree, Ken. If you'd like to get more involved, @AxeTheReadingTax have more info on their website https://t.co/anWiwqYGgW

[British Dyslexia Association @BDAdyslexia]

Audiobooks give people with #dyslexia access to literature they may otherwise struggle to read, which is why we are supporting #AxeTheReadingTax campaign - calling on the Government to remove the 20% tax on audiobook readers. Find out how you can help https://t.co/8xiuVF8zwr

[Develop Us @developuswales]

Audiobooks give people with #dyslexia access to literature they may otherwise struggle to read, which is why we are supporting #AxeTheReadingTax campaign – calling on the Government to remove the 20% tax on audiobook readers. Find out how you can help… https://t.co/4JElU85sBD

[Axe the Reading Tax @AxeReadingTax]

.@Soc_of_Authors on @BBCRadio4 today discussing the removal of VAT on e-books. Consumers should benefit from this tax cut, as has happened in other countries around the world. Important that this discriminatory tax is removed from audiobooks too

[Sannan Iqbal ♿️ @SannanIqbalUK]

As a partially sighted young person I use audio books a lot but I find having to pay an additional tax on top of the cost of the actual book is making it inaccessible to me. This is why I’m publicly backing
@AxeReadingTax. https://t.co/Fl8S8EWVLQ https://t.co/kB0hB6g25i

[Touretteshero @touretteshero]

Audio books have allowed be to keep enjoying books when pain, fatigue and tics have made reading hard. It’s time to end the ridiculous idea that listening to books is somehow lesser - ending discriminatory tax policy would be a start.

[Jon Attenborough @JonAttenborough]

I’m disappointed that the Chancellor @RishiSunak didn’t take the opportunity today in his #SummerStatement to axe the discriminatory tax on audiobooks. Printed books and media are zero rated. People like me rely on audiobooks, why do we have to pay more than everyone else?

[Dr Amit Patel @BlindDad_Uk]

As a blind author, I’m committed to my work being accessible to all, so audiobooks are even more important to me.

This is deeply frustrating to hear & is an enormous blow for equality & accessibility.

[Axe the Reading Tax @AxeReadingTax]

This includes the estimated 2 million people living with sight loss in the UK, people with dyslexia and young people for whom audiobooks are a gateway to literacy. We will continue to campaign to make all forms of reading truly accessible to all 2/2

[Axe the Reading Tax @AxeReadingTax]

We are disappointed that the Chancellor has not taken this opportunity today to remove the discriminatory tax on audiobooks, to bring them into line with their print and digital counterparts. Charging VAT on audiobooks directly impacts those who rely on this format 1/2

[Listening Books @ListeningBooks]

We support the @AxeReadingTax campaign to remove tax on digital books. It's now been removed on eBooks but not audiobooks. Audio is vital for those with print impairments and they should not have to pay 20% more. Sign the petition and find more - https://t.co/4zV6DasyOj

[BookBrunch @BookBrunch]

National @Literacy_Trust research reveals importance of audiobooks for children as @AxeReadingTax argues that 'it is unfair that those who need or prefer to read audiobooks are having to pay VAT'

https://t.co/Fkr1HmDwKZ (£)

[National Literacy Trust @Literacy_Trust]

Today we published new research, commissioned by the @PublishersAssoc, to explore the use of audiobooks and their link to wider literacy engagement from children and young people https://t.co/r7yIa3hNxW

[Axe the Reading Tax @AxeReadingTax]

@littleamiss @Soc_of_Authors @MaryAliceEvans @Stressed_Local @SteveHarrisDJ @MissGibson16 @StephanieCoate7 @ALCS_UK Thank you so much for your support @littleamiss! The Government removed VAT on e-books in May but we continue to campaign to make all forms of reading (including audiobooks) accessible