In a developer post published this week, Apple admits that from time to time it needs to adjust prices due to changes in tax regulations of foreign exchange rates. Apparently, it’s that time of the year when Apple operates App Store tax and price changes in half of dozen countries.
Several years ago, these changes happened rarely, but the world’s economy took a tumble in the last couple of years, and with the new tariffs Trump is threateningly waving left and right, we’ll probably have to get used to seeing these tax and price changes more often.
Developers in five European countries have been hit with tax and price adjustments | Image credit: PhoneArena
That said, if you’re living in the United States, you should be safe for now, as Apple only mentions five European countries in the announcement. Starting February 6, developers’ proceeds from the sale of eligible apps and in-app purchases have been modified in the following countries:
- Azerbaijan: value-added tax (VAT) introduction of 18%
- Peru: VAT introduction of 18%
- Slovakia: Standard VAT rate increase from 20% to 23%
- Slovakia: Reduced VAT rate introduction of 5% for ebooks
- Estonia: Reduced VAT rate increase from 5% to 9% for news publications, magazines, and other periodicals
- Finland: Reduced VAT rate increase from 10% to 14% for ebooks
Japan introduces a new 10% tax for non-domestic iOS developers
The good news is these changes will take effect on April 1, so any prepaid payment products (i.e. coins) sold prior to this date will not be subject to platform taxation.
