January 4, 2005
SMS message VAT revenues could go to tsunami-hit Asia
The Czechs have come up with yet another way of raising money thanks to cell phones.
Finance Minister Bohuslav Sobotka agrees with using the revenues from VAT on SMS messages sent by Czechs in aid to Southeast Asia, hit with a devastating tsunami caused by a strong earthquake in late-December, as additional state aid to the region, he told CTK today through his spokesman, reports Czech Happenings.
"Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda announced the intention to increase state aid to the regions hit by the natural disaster to include the revenues from VAT on short messages after a meeting of the emergency committee today.
The state collects an additional 5.7 crowns (24 cents) in VAT on an SMS message worth 30 crowns ($1.31), from which the mobile operator takes 3 crowns (13 cents) in overhead operational costs."
Related:
-- Czech charity ADRA raises $ 500,000
-- Roundup of tsunami relief SMS fund raising campaigns around the world
-- Links to all Tsunami/cell phone stories posted in Textually.org.
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