Billag value-added tax was the biggest annoyance for consumers in 2017
This year, Swiss consumers were most annoyed by the wrongly levied value-added tax for Billag fees. This accounted for 40 percent of the reports to Consumer Protection.
In the year now ending, a total of 48,219 people submitted a complaint or a request for advice, according to the Alliance of Consumer Protection Organizations on Wednesday. The annoyance of the year is the Billag value-added tax. More than 19,000 people have come to the Alliance about it. In April 2015, the Federal Court had ruled that Billag had wrongly charged 2.5 percent VAT on radio and television fees. Since this ruling, Billag no longer charges VAT on its bills.
The emissions scandal is also annoying
However, the retroactive repayment of the VAT is still open. The Federal Office of Communications has referred the ruling of the private individual to the Federal Supreme Court to have this issue clarified in the last instance. Many consumers have sought assistance in reclaiming the tax, Allianz writes.
Behind the Billag value-added tax, the emissions scandal joins the list of nuisances. Consumer protection organizations demanded compensation from VW and the general importer Amag for the damage caused by the emissions scandal to affected car owners. Almost 9,600 affected parties turned to Allianz in this matter.
Consumers are also feeling the pinch when it comes to warranty services. By the end of November, 5668 people had contacted the consumer advisors because, for example, a cell phone had not been repaired despite being under warranty. (SDA)
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