Government plans digital levy: Internet giants should pay!

Government plans digital levy: Internet giants should pay!

Deutschland - The federal government is planning a new digital tax for large internet companies, including well -known actors such as Google and Meta. Minister of Culture Wolfram Weimer announced that a corresponding law was currently in preparation. The intended tax rate of 10 percent describes by Weimer as moderate and legitimate. The idea of ​​introducing such a levy is anchored in the coalition agreement between the Union and the SPD and aims to strengthen media diversity in Germany.

The delivery could apply to platforms that use media content, including cultural products. A model of this initiative is the Austrian model, in which large online platforms have had to pay 5 percent of their advertising revenue since 2020. However, Weimer pointed out that there is still no precise information about possible income and its use. In addition, it should be ensured that end customers are not additionally charged; Experiences from Austria show that there were no relevant price changes for consumers.

reasons for the introduction of the levy

Weimer said that it was one of the main reasons for the introduction of the platform tax to criticize monopoly-like structures of the large digital groups. These structures can restrict the competition and endanger media diversity. In addition, companies in Germany achieve high profits, but only pay a few taxes and do not invest sufficiently back into society, which further tightens the situation.

Another aspect of the planned digital tax is the so-called platform soli, which Weimer brings into play to improve the income situation by these companies. For some time now there have been initiatives in the Chancellery to record the dialogue with Google and other industry representatives. The aim is to probe alternatives and perhaps even voluntary commitments that could accommodate the planned taxes.

willingness to talk and collaboration

Weimer emphasizes that there is great unity between the coalition partners Union, SPD and the Greens in the assessment of the problem. Talks with platform operators at top level are intended to find further solutions. Despite the unclear legal basis, which has braked previous measures, Weimer shows his will to discuss the legislative template with stakeholders quickly and to bring them into the parliament for examination.

The discussion about digital delivery shows that the German government is pursuing a determined approach to tackle the challenges of large internet companies and to help shape the future development of the media landscape. Whether this will ultimately bring the desired success will be shown in the coming months.

For more information on this topic, you can use the article at KN-Online.de On Stern.de Read.