EU set to slap writ on Poland over VAT on Internet services and citrus fruit

The EU is going to sue Poland in the European Court of Justice in Brussels for breaking EU law. As Rzeczpospolita unofficially found out, the charges concern VAT on Internet services and citrus fruits. The EU authorities believe that Poland does not have the right to alter the VAT rate on Internet access (individual clients and schools pay 0%) as the rate is 22% all over the EU. Conversely, the VAT rate for citrus fruits is allegedly too high, as it is greater than the VAT rate on domestic fruit. EU diplomats believe that the rapid pace in which the charges against the country have been prepared is not a mere coincidence. A week ago, the Polish government sued the EU for punishing Polish companies for stocking up on food supplies before May 1, as well as for granting Polish farmers lower subsidies than was originally planned. "Due to long-lasting procedures, the official charges will be known after the summer holidays," said Polish EU Commissioner Danuta Huebner. (Rzeczpospolita, pp. A1, A4) D.W.