We’ve been talking about the so-called smartphone tax for a long time, but in fact little comes from it, or at least not so far. It turns out that the Ministry of Culture is preparing a bill that provides for an additional levy on manufacturers and importers of computers, tablets and smartphones. According to the Consumer Federation, this may be associated with an increase in the prices of these devices by about PLN 300, but in many cases the amount may turn out to be much higher. What are the rulers aiming at by introducing regulations that will deepen the digital exclusion of many Polish citizens? The answer is clear, but do we have to agree with it?

The draft law on the tax on smartphones, computers and other smart devices may go to the parliament in December. What is the law that is likely to enter into force in 2021?

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The Ministry of Culture plans to establish a special Fund for Supporting Professional Artists. It would receive funds from the aforementioned fee imposed on producers and importers of electronic equipment, and money from government subsidies. This is nothing more than the development of the reprographic fee, which does not apply to modern equipment, but to retro-devices such as VCRs or cassette players. In this way, the government wants to save artists who are unable to obtain sufficient income from their activities. The problem is that it is extremely unfair to other entrepreneurs.

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Following this lead, representatives of other professions who are not able to adapt to new market conditions. However, the consequences of the idea will be felt by us – customers of electronics stores. It is a pure formality that the cost of the fee, which will be borne by producers and importers, will be passed on to us in the form of increases in equipment prices. Today, smartphones are not cheap devices. Worsening of this state of affairs may result in the inability to buy a phone by less wealthy people. It remains to be hoped that the provisions will not enter into force as currently proposed.

Source: Business Insider