Incorrect VAT applied in some territories

[MrZas]

Steam is charging EU unified VAT to some terriories where there is a VAT exemption or reduction.

Let's first check what are the EU regulations about VAT charges in different territories:

https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/business/vat/eu-vat-rules-topic/territorial-status-eu-countries-certain-territories_en

https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/business/other-taxes/turnover-taxes-canary-islands_en

I live in Canary Islands/SPAIN (althought there are more territories affected by this problem) and I've paid several hundred dollars to Steam in taxes that I shouldn't have payed and Steam shouldn't have charged. If you check the links above (EU regulation about taxes) in Canary Islands EU VAT rules don't apply.

Other online vendors like Amazon apply VAT rules right and if not you can ask for VAT refund when you contact with them and verify that EU VAT regulations don't apply, but Steam doesn't change things nor try to verify these rightful claims.

I seriously hope that Steam must refund all taxes incorrectly collected plus fine and compensation to all users affected. I'll fill a complain to the EU if next time I ask Steam for a correct VAT calculation they don´t attend my rightful reclamation.

If more people think Steam must stop to collect erroneously calculated taxes or you have been affected by this issue, please reply to this post to coordinate legal or political actions to force Steam to do what is legally right.

[Darkcider]

I live in Jersey, Channel Islands. We do not have VAT, though the prices all match those of the UK (inclusive of VAT).

Unfortunately, we are a minority and will likely be ignored.

I have currently requested information from Valve, regarding the refund of VAT from all of my purchases. I'm sure that they won't take it well, but we shall see.

[ KARR™]

Originally posted by Darkcider:

I live in Jersey, Channel Islands. We do not have VAT, though the prices all match those of the UK (inclusive of VAT).

Unfortunately, we are a minority and will likely be ignored.

I have currently requested information from Valve, regarding the refund of VAT from all of my purchases. I'm sure that they won't take it well, but we shall see.

Ahh memories... how they ruined the family Fort Regent and made it a sports centre :( Used to love the outdoor golf....

But back to the point, you MAY find you get a response similar to the one that other retailers used to send out along the lines of :-

"Pricing of titles from xxxxxxxxx varies by your country or region due to differences in digital list prices, local prices and tax rates. Even though the price you paid for xxxxxxxxxxxx may have been the same as the advertised price to UK customers at the time of purchase, I can confirm that you were not charged VAT on order xxxxxxxxxxxx.

Although if you go to the support site and the receipts clearly state a VAT amount, then that's a different matter.

[kutas ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥]

yes