Tampons, towels and Slip inserts should be cheaper. The Federal Council wants to reduce the rate of VAT on feminine hygiene article from today’s 7.7 percent. He requested the Parliament, a Motion of the new Burger SP-Nationalrat Jacques-André Maire.
Maire argued that the currently applicable VAT rates to disadvantaged women. It was time to change the strange rules. Vote National and to the Council of States to the proposal, Tampons, bandages and Slip defined as-deposits, essential goods and at the reduced VAT rate of 2.5 percent, taxed.
Today will be levied on those articles, the full VAT rate of 7.7 percent. For products such as cut flowers or Stray animal, the reduced VAT rate of 2.5 percent applies, however, as Maire.
the EU eased regulations
The SP-the national Council also draws attention to the rules in other countries. A number of States have Tampons and pads completely exempt from VAT. The EU has relaxed its rules so that the member States introduce such products on a reduced VAT rate or are VAT free.
On the VAT revenue, the Change would have little impact, writes Maire. The total revenue in the amount of 22 billion Swiss francs, would be reduced according to one estimate, 10 to 15 million Swiss francs, i.e. around 0.5 per Mille.
Federal Council so far, however,
The Federal Council does not comment on this: on Thursday published a resolution on adoption of the Motion contains no statement of reasons. Two years ago, the Federal Council had requested the Parliament, a proposal with similar concerns to refuse. At the time, Maire called for a reduced VAT rate for “basic hygiene”. In addition to Tampons and pads, he cited as examples, diapers, toilet paper and toothpaste. The Federal Council argued that this would make the System more complicated.
it Also is unclear what “basic hygiene” would be. The more products and services, the reduced rate would be, the more delineation of problems there. In addition, minors are threatened revenue for the Federal Treasury of approximately 50 million Swiss francs in the year. (anf/sda)
Created: 21.02.2019, 15:30 PM
