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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2001
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Journeyman
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OP
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 326 |
Will the duties be excessive this year? I always just download. Seems unfair amount of extra payment for just downloading.
Mal
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I don't think PG Music has any control over that. I'd direct the query to Parliament.
Jan - 12 Core AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
32GB DDR4
Win 10 64-bit
Samsung m.2 SSD Boot drive,other SSD internal and USB drives.
MOTO 2
Ketron SD90
Aerophone AE-30, Yamaha WX-7
Yamaha RX-v381amp
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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For those of us who don’t know how this works, could you explain a bit? I thought that only physical items were taxed based on their value. We’ve had many discussions about what form of delivery could lessen the VAT. I thought downloading was not taxed.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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It used to be like that in Australia, Matt. These days, though, the government expects the same 10% goods and services tax to be paid on overseas purchases as we would if we bought locally. It now applies everywhere.
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 326
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 326 |
Last year the extra was included but one of the ladies in the team kindly waved it for me. You guys must know that we in UK are suffering a dreadful Tory Government at present along with the crazy antics of the crazed Putin. I guess that goes for you guys too in USA and Canada.
I always make sure I get everything every year but this year may prove otherwise.
Mal
Mal
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I think those answers mean that my understanding was wrong, and if you buy a PG Music product that is downloaded, you still pay a large tax. Is that correct?
It’s a serious question because we have had discussions about software delivery on flash drives or by different types of compressed files (for the audiophile version that is 2 TB).
The whole point was twofold: avoid surplus USB drives year after year, and minimize the VAT.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 326
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 326 |
Guess we'll know shortly Matt. Downloads should be VAT free, hopefully.
Mal
Mal
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I certainly hope the price is affordable, but I understand that the tax is legislated and not necessarily something that the seller can avoid.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I think those answers mean that my understanding was wrong, and if you buy a PG Music product that is downloaded, you still pay a large tax. Is that correct? That's correct. The tax is applied on the value of the goods or service supplied. Even if PGM didn't apply it, in principle HM Revenue & Customs can and should. If they do, they may well of course also fine, or could take legal action. It is, IMHO, a rather nasty iniquitous tax, because it gets applied at every transfer of transfer of value ... VAT registered businesses can claim it back when they buy and pretty much have to to remain competitive, so every transaction requires the business to be a tax refund claimant on a purchase and a tax collector on a sale. On a plus side for us in the UK, though, many people don't have to file a personal tax return for their earnings.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2001
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We will get 20% VAT added and the dollar/pound exchange rate is awful so in real terms the upgrade will be more expensive this year
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
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I think I understand your concerns now.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2011
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Apprentice
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Apprentice
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VAT registered businesses can claim it back when they buy and pretty much have to to remain competitive, so every transaction requires the business to be a tax refund claimant on a purchase and a tax collector on a sale.
Actually, we can't, not unless the seller has a UK VAT number. The US company should, however, allow us to provide them our GB VAT number, in which case it should be sold to us at the ex-VAT price and we enter it as "out of scope". If we sell it on, then we charge the VAT. It's a pain because a lot of sellers charge the VAT but don't allow us that option. Some sellers just ignore it completely and don't charge any VAT. The whole thing is a complete mess and ridiculously overcomplicated for both the seller and the (business) buyer. For personal, non-business customers, all US companies are supposed to charge UK VAT for digital products, at the time of payment. For physical products they don't, we pay it our end at customs. At least that's how it was last time I looked.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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VAT registered businesses can claim it back when they buy and pretty much have to to remain competitive, so every transaction requires the business to be a tax refund claimant on a purchase and a tax collector on a sale.
Actually, we can't, not unless the seller has a UK VAT number. The US company should, however, allow us to provide them our GB VAT number, in which case it should be sold to us at the ex-VAT price and we enter it as "out of scope". If we sell it on, then we charge the VAT. It's a pain because a lot of sellers charge the VAT but don't allow us that option. Some sellers just ignore it completely and don't charge any VAT. The whole thing is a complete mess and ridiculously overcomplicated for both the seller and the (business) buyer. For personal, non-business customers, all US companies are supposed to charge UK VAT for digital products, at the time of payment. For physical products they don't, we pay it our end at customs. At least that's how it was last time I looked. I didn't know about the non-UK sellers and VAT number stuff. Very messy and means that some imported stuff will be double-taxed at that 20% each time. I'd hoped that the UK would scrap VAT after we left the EU, along with a large number of other cumbersome EU regulation, but next to nothing has changed. Sigh.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,168
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Has anything changed in England as regards say buying a guitar from Thomanns, or are the charges greater since leaving the EU?
I think here in N Ireland its more or less the same price, though not 100% sure.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 185
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 185 |
Has anything changed in England as regards say buying a guitar from Thomanns, or are the charges greater since leaving the EU?
I think here in N Ireland its more or less the same price, though not 100% sure. I don't know how it works with NI since Brexit. Thomann have always charged the VAT for UK customers. I used to spend a hell of a lot of money with them (business customer) but when we first left EU I stopped buying because it was madness - I had no option but to pay the VAT twice. The good thing now is Thomann got on top of it all quite quickly. What they have done is great, they deal with everything from VAT to Duty to Shipping and include it all in the UK price, so that you can continue buying from them just like it was before Brexit. If you're VAT registered you can also claim back the VAT now because they have set up a UK registered office with a GB Vat number.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 185
Apprentice
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Apprentice
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I didn't know about the non-UK sellers and VAT number stuff. Very messy and means that some imported stuff will be double-taxed at that 20% each time.
I'd hoped that the UK would scrap VAT after we left the EU, along with a large number of other cumbersome EU regulation, but next to nothing has changed. Sigh.
Yes it really is a mess. I was very involved with all of this as a UK business. Accountants didn't know the answer, HMRC didn't know the answer - they all had their own ideas and opinions but no clarity or citable facts. It's become so complex that only few specialist "experts" really know - just about every regulation can be contradicted by another. I just learn little by little over time and it's still a complete mess.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2020
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I'd hoped that the UK would scrap VAT after we left the EU, along with a large number of other cumbersome EU regulation, but next to nothing has changed. Sigh.
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677BiaB 2026 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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At one time PG gave us a code for an extra discount to neutralise the VAT. That was for a limited time and I've been paying VAT on extra styles discs so I can't see BIAB 2023 being subsidised.
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Holiday Weekend Hours
It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:
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Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Don't wait - order today!
Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
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