Slovakia: income tax changes

Slovakia

Arrangements for dual price displays before and after Slovakia’s adoption of the euro have been published by the Economy Ministry.

The main details include:

· in dual displays, the koruna is to be the main currency until the euro is adopted, when it will be shown for information only. The same is true in reverse for the euro.

· sellers must also display a conversion table in certain cases as defined below, showing an ascending/descending list of all prices for goods and services denominated in koruna and euros, including a conversion rate

· there is no requirement to have a dual display for:

o prices on price tags placed directly on products (where they are sold in bulk, the price must be shown in the main currency with a dual price visible close to the product)

o the unit price of products sold in bulk

o prices shown on digital displays which lack the technology for dual display

o prices for return packages, where there is no need for dual display on the documents issued by the seller to the consumer for acceptance or return but the prices in both currencies and a conversion rate must be displayed in a visible price list near the place for acceptance

o discounted prices shown in flyers and other advertising or marketing materials, where the final price after discount (or, where the product is sold in bulk, the unit price after discount) must be shown in both currencies with a conversion rate

o gift vouchers, coupons and cheques for products and services issued before the dual display requirement

o prices such as pre-pay credit balances provided by SMS text messages or via interactive digital TV for end-consumers of electronic communication services, where prices need only be given in the main currency

o prices of services listed in travel agency catalogues or price lists

· There are a number of special rules:

o at petrol stations, there must be dual display of the price per litre of fuel either on the pump stand or close to it

o prices in catalogues issued before the dual display requirement must have a conversion table attached to the catalogue when given to consumers after the dual display requirement is in force

o prices for goods and services in specialist stores or departments such as butchers, confectioners and other perishable foodstuffs must be shown on a [dual] price list which is both visible and accessible

o prices on vending machines or ticket machines for public transport must be shown on a [dual] price list on or close to the machines

o prices for periodicals and non-periodicals in shops must be shown on a [dual] price list which is both visible and accessible

o prices for goods and services offered by sellers employing 5 or fewer persons must be shown on a [dual] price list which is both visible and accessible

o information on prices for services provided from public telephones must be given in both currencies on a 24-hour toll-free customer service phone number which must be shown on or close to the public telephone displays