National Council wants VAT exemption for cultural associations
Silvia Hunziker
Participants at cultural events such as the Yodel Festival should be able to benefit from a VAT exemption in future - just like participants at sports events. On Wednesday the National Council adopted a motion tabled by SVP National Councillor Pierre-André Page (FR).
Page demands a new exception for cultural associations. He stressed that it was not a matter of playing sport and culture off against each other. Instead, cultural and sporting events should be treated equally in terms of taxation.
The Federal Council opposed this. Tax exemptions should be reduced rather than extended, said Finance Minister Ueli Maurer. To keep on deciding on new exceptions is the wrong way to create a fair system. However, the Council approved the proposal by 161 votes to 21 with 8 abstentions. The motion now goes to the Council of States.
The tax exemption for entry fees for sporting events was introduced into law in 1995 against the background of a popular initiative. At cultural events today only tickets but not participation fees are exempt from the value-added tax.
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