Questions LL should answer re. VAT

Hmm, seems there's already a petition regarding the VAT Directive waiting to be signed.

*British* Second Life users could do worse than add their weight to it. (Could surprise the creators of the petition if thousands of names suddenly appeared because there are only five names so far.) I stress though, only British citizens are eligible to petition the Prime Minister via this facility.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/EU-INTERNET/

"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Stop the EU from imposing VAT charges on internet services from Non EU countries."

"The EU "E-Business Directive" (Council Directive 2002/38/EC) came into effect on 1st July 2003. This directive forces ANYONE (whether a member of the EU or not) to collect VAT on certain electronically (internet) delivered services such as * supply of websites or web-hosting services * downloaded software (including updates of software) * downloaded images, text or information, including making databases available * digitised books or other electronic publications * downloaded music, films or games * electronic auctions or * internet service packages.

Non member countries do not benefit from the VAT. The EU should also have no say in forcing whether a country should charge vat if they are not in the EU. This is likely to result in many services being made unavailable to the EU, or a tit for tat reaction in which non member countries start forcing the EU to charge whatever fees they wish for sales to their non member country.

The EU should not be allowed to force how foreign business operates."

The explanation has already been provided in this thread. Try the following link: http://tinyurl.com/3xrxy2

.....It's amazing that i don't have to pay taxes when i buy something (books, CDs, DVDs...) at Amazon.com for instance (a USA based company) ?

SL deliver a web based service, companies like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and so on.. a physical product ..and i receive it in Europe (in France : 20.6% taxes) !

Heh! Hats off to you for the find! Thanks!