Polish government seeks to introduce ‘Netflix’ tax for video-on-demand platforms

The Polish government is seeking to expand its multi-billion-zloty economic support package aimed at easing the burden of the coronavirus crisis on businesses and workers.

Notes from Poland reports that among the new measures is a 1.5% tax on the revenue of video-on-demand (VOD) platforms, with the funds being used to bolster the Polish Institute of Film Art (PISF). The payments are expected to boost the institute’s budget by 15 million zloty in 2020, and 20 million zloty annually in coming years.

Culture minister Piotr Gliński denied, however, that the charge was a tax, pointing out that it does not go to the state budget. “It is a contribution for the development of Polish cinema,” said Gliński. “The films they produce will be later shown on VOD.”

Netflix, which is Poland’s most popular streaming service, would have to pay almost 6.5 million zloty this year, calculates Wirtualne Media. In March, Netflix was watched by 5.4 million people, or around 19% of all Polish internet users. Other popular legal streaming services include VOD.pl, player.pl and HBO GO.

Via Notes from Poland 

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