TV TAX - EU Competition Authority

PercyBlakeney

I note that Ireland is considering introducing a TV tax. Despite the name, the proposal is a tax levied on every household, regardless of whether or not they have a TV.

The current system is not a tax, is not collected by the government, and is paid voluntarily by those who choose to have a TV.

In the past the Irish government (amongst other governments) chose to support one airline company, (Aer Lingus in the case of Ireland), giving it taxpayers money, and did not equitably or otherwise support other airlines. This practice of giving taxpayers money to one player has been effectively banned by the EU commissioner for competition, and ruled illegal and anti competitive.

If Ireland moves to a system where the government imposes a tax on every household, and then chooses to spend taxpayers money giving taxpayers money to RTE and not to other broadcasters, then how will the EU view this in terms of precedent and practice in terms of anti competition rules?

godtabh

The money is give to other broadcasters to make public interest shows

Bepolite

I didn't think this came under the ambit of competition but of state aid? I'm very happy to be corrected on that.

Tom Young

State Aid & Competition Rules/Law are intrinsicly linked.

Robbo

PercyBlakeney wrote: »

I note that Ireland is considering introducing a TV tax. Despite the name, the proposal is a tax levied on every household, regardless of whether or not they have a TV.

The current system is not a tax, is not collected by the government, and is paid voluntarily by those who choose to have a TV.

In the past the Irish government (amongst other governments) chose to support one airline company, (Aer Lingus in the case of Ireland), giving it taxpayers money, and did not equitably or otherwise support other airlines. This practice of giving taxpayers money to one player has been effectively banned by the EU commissioner for competition, and ruled illegal and anti competitive.

If Ireland moves to a system where the government imposes a tax on every household, and then chooses to spend taxpayers money giving taxpayers money to RTE and not to other broadcasters, then how will the EU view this in terms of precedent and practice in terms of anti competition rules?

Here's the Commissions thoughts on Public Sector Broadcasting, knock yourself out. It's pre-Lisbon so the Article numbers have changed.

Victor

PercyBlakeney wrote: »

I note that Ireland is considering introducing a TV tax. Despite the name

Well, its a broadcast tax.

The current system is not a tax, is not collected by the government, and is paid voluntarily by those who choose to have a TV.

No, collection is merely delegated by the government, as many things are. It is mandatory - try telling those sent to Mountjoy otherwise.

If Ireland moves to a system where the government imposes a tax on every household, and then chooses to spend taxpayers money giving taxpayers money to RTE and not to other broadcasters

But other organisations do receive money from the current TV Licence.

godtabh

Victor wrote: »

Well, its a broadcast tax.

No, collection is merely delegated by the government, as many things are. It is mandatory - try telling those sent to Mountjoy otherwise.

But other organisations do receive money from the current TV Licence.

I think what was meant its voluntary in the sense that you can avoid paying it if you dont have a tv. If the broadcast tax is introduced every one will be subject to it