Printing services hit with 22% VAT: expensive books and press ahead?

A 22% VAT tax has been imposed on printing services, catching the sector extremely surprised. Just yesterday the sector Chambers for Printing, Books and Press Sectors filed a complaint at the Finance ministry calling for the introduction of a 0% VAT tax on printing services. Yet they may be protesting in vain, as the tax has been introduced by a Parliamentary bill and repeal would involve the whole bill revision procedure. So far only Kazimierz Michal Ujazdowski, the Minister of Culture, has promised to intervene in the case, as he thinks every book should be easily accessible. The introduction of 22% VAT on printing will inevitably lead to an increase in book prices by as much as 25% and the press will have to increase its prices as well. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p.19) J.K