Latvia to Raise VAT on Russian-Language Publications from 5% to 21%

• Latvia plans to increase VAT on Russian language publications from 5 percent to 21 percent starting in 2026 as part of stricter language policies following the Ukraine conflict
• The tax increase will apply to books, newspapers, magazines and digital publications not published in Latvian, EU official languages, or languages of EU candidate countries and OECD members
• This measure is part of broader restrictions on Russian speakers who make up nearly a quarter of Latvia’s population, including requiring MPs to use only Latvian in official duties
• Recent actions include expelling an MP for speaking Russian in parliament and ordering 841 Russian citizens to leave after failing mandatory language exams
• Russia has condemned these policies as discrimination and Russophobic, responding with its own strategy to promote Russian language use domestically and internationally

Source: news.webindia123.com

Note that this post was (partially) written with the help of AI. It is always useful to review the original source material, and where needed to obtain (local) advice from a specialist.

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