PC/Mobile Steam Tax Coming to Ten Countries and More on the Way

[Danielx64]

It doesn't necessarily mean Steam prices will go up, but they might.

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It came to light earlier this week that Australians will soon have to pay ten percent GST—Goods and Services Tax—on their Steam purchases. We noted at the time that a handful of other nations will also be affected by similar taxes, including New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Iceland, South Africa and India. Now the full list of countries that will have to start paying taxes on Steam purchases, as well as how much and when, has been revealed in an email (via Gamespot) sent by Valve to Steam developers.

Here's the schedule:

March:

• Switzerland 8%
• South Korea 10%
• Japan 8%
• New Zealand 15%
• Iceland 24%
• South Africa 14%
• India 15%

April:

• Serbia 20%

May:

• Taiwan 5%

July:

• Australia 10%

Read more: Valve email reveals Steam tax hikes coming to ten countries, more could be on the way | PC Gamer

I don't know if this is a good thing or not. Lease here we have till July to top up our accounts and buy some games before paying GST.

 

[froggyboy604]

Some of these tax rates are very high, and may prevent poorer people from being able to afford the game until they save an extra 10-20% of the price of the game to pay game taxes.

I think this Steam tax will cause more games to be free to play where games will make money by displaying ads, or finding a sponsors like Razer, Steam, Microsoft, Madcatz, and the Pro Gaming League to sponsor the game by placing their logo on the game's loading screens.

This Steam tax may hurt smaller games which may get fewer buyers because people are spending more of their money paying taxes on more expensive games like Grand Theft Auto 5.

 

[Demon_Skeith]

tax, tax and more tax. BAH! It sucks....

 

[Danielx64]

Thing is though is that we may not see it being added since the devs could wear the cost.