Sweden set to slash VAT on repairs

0
88

A proposal has been put to the Swedish Parliament by its Government that would lead to VAT on repairs to products being cut from the current 25% to 12%.

Under the proposal, people will be able to claim back income tax on half the labour cost on repairs to fridges, ovens and washing machines.

Advertisement

The VAT cut alone would reduce the cost of a repair worth 400 Swedish krona (£50) by 50SEK, which should help to stimulate more of a repair culture.

Sweden minister for financial markets and consumer affairs Per Bolund told the Guardian: “We believe that this could substantially lower the cost and so make it more rational economic behaviour to repair your goods.

“I believe there is a shift in view in Sweden at the moment. There is an increased knowledge that we need to make our things last longer in order to reduce materials consumption.”