Calls to Abolish VAT on Dance Bands Grow During Dansbandsveckan
Advocates push to abolish the 25% VAT on dance band music during Dansbandsveckan.
Key Points
- • Dansbandsveckan attracts thousands, underscoring the cultural significance of dance band music.
- • Hans Johanson calls for the VAT on dance bands to be abolished, highlighting tax disparities with other cultural forms.
- • The high tax rate is seen as detrimental to the sustainability of dance bands and local economies.
- • The festival serves as a protest against unequal cultural taxation.
During the Dansbandsveckan festival in Malung, which runs from July 13 to July 19, 2025, discussions surrounding the 25% VAT on dance band music are intensifying. Hans Johanson, chairman of the cultural and education committee in Dalarna, is vocally advocating for the removal of this tax, which he argues is significantly higher than the 6% VAT imposed on other cultural activities such as theater and classical music.
Johanson posits that this taxation disparity is not just an economic issue, but one of cultural equality. He questions the rationale behind taxing dance bands at a higher rate than orchestral performances, implying that all forms of music should be treated equally under tax laws. He emphasizes that dance band music forms an essential part of local culture, particularly in rural areas, where it plays a crucial role in sustaining jobs for musicians and supporting local economies.
The high VAT rate, Johanson notes, poses substantial challenges for dance bands, leading to fewer performances and elevated ticket prices, which disproportionately affects younger bands and communities dedicated to maintaining their cultural heritage. The atmosphere surrounding the festival has turned into a form of protest against this inequitable tax system, spotlighting the emotional and economic significance of dance band music in Sweden’s cultural landscape.
As the festival continues, advocates hope to draw even more attention to this issue, pushing for reforms that will bring about fairer taxation for all cultural expressions in Sweden.