Apple has announced tax and price updates for the App Store and other digital storefronts in various markets, with some changes taking effect immediately. Some changes are scheduled to start in the coming weeks and months.
February tax and pricing updates
Apple has made tax and pricing updates in five markets that kick in today:
- Azerbaijan: value-added tax (VAT) introduction of 18%
- Peru: VAT introduction of 18%
- Slovakia: Standard VAT rate increase from 20% to 23%
- Slovakia: Reduced VAT rate introduction of 5% for ebooks
- Estonia: Reduced VAT rate increase from 5% to 9% for news publications, magazines, and other periodicals
- Finland: Reduced VAT rate increase from 10% to 14% for ebooks
Later this month, additional changes will take effect in Azerbaijan and Peru.
Pricing for apps and In-App Purchases² will be updated for the Azerbaijan and Peru storefronts if you haven’t selected one of these as the base for your app or In‑App Purchase.² These updates also consider VAT introductions listed in the tax updates section above.
If you’ve selected the Azerbaijan or Peru storefront as the base for your app or In-App Purchase, prices won’t change. On other storefronts, prices will be updated to maintain equalization with your chosen base price.
Japan updates in April
Separately, Apple has detailed upcoming changes that will occur in Japan on April 1.
As a result of last year’s change in Japan’s tax regulations, Apple (through iTunes K.K. in Japan) is now designated as a Specified Platform Operator by the Japan tax authority. All paid apps and In-App Purchases, (including game items, such as coins) sold by non-Japan-based developers on the App Store in Japan will be subject to the platform tax regime. Apple will collect and remit a 10% Japanese consumption tax (JCT) to the National Tax Agency JAPAN on such transactions at the time of purchase. Your proceeds will be adjusted accordingly.
Developers can read this entry from Apple for more details.
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