mrkgnao: Not to mention NO getting different treatment from DE, CH and SE. Weird.
HypersomniacLive: Norway is not part of the EU, only the EEA, and, IIRC, they don't have VAT; could be the reasoning used, even though Norway is in an extremely better financial state than a good number of EU countries.
Although we're not part of EU directly, we're are not necessarily better off than most EU countries. believe me... Thanks to a sub-agreement that only
2 countries in the world have with the EU, we
are apart of the EU in many ways, but without a voice, and have been rammed behind for the last 20 years. Our laws are being changed because EU (and its security council) dictates so over our own laws. (well, our constitution should/does take presedens over foreign laws, however, our politicians are ignoring what was set loose in 1814, and are giving EU most of the power). Many are loosing their jobs and rights. /rant off
Btw, we do have value added tax. With the exception of newspapers, EL-cars, books among others. From 2011 people where required to pay e-vat on everything we bought electronically from other countries, just like EU's directive from 2003 for every EU's members.
If my memory serves me right that is :-)
Still, regional prices should be put on ice everywhere...
https://www.regnskapnorge.no/Fagstoff/MVA/MVA/MVA---kjop-av-elektroniske-tjenester/ :
"From July 1 (2011), (consumers) shall pay VAT when downloading online services against payment, regardless of whether the service purchased from an undertaking established in Norway or abroad. The scheme will provide equal competitive conditions for Norwegian and foreign suppliers."
Norwegian Tax Administration’s home page for Value Added Tax on Electronic Services (VAT on e-Services):
http://www.voesnorway.com/
(EDIT: Crazy as it sounds; somehow we must pay vat on drivers we download also, but I don't understand what they were thinking when they passed that law. Have no idea how they're going to enforce that :-) )