Thanks for the detail Turnoi. Actually, my post was for your information so I wasn't expecting a reply. Interesting that German publishers can vary the rate of VAT.

What they do is absorb the difference. I used to do it selling burgers and chicken, but not on VAT. if they ask for a lettuce leaf or two that's when I absorb the difference. i am told that publishers lower VAT when the authors are asking too much for a crap book. Don't know if that is true or not, perhaps T can advice.