German Court Rules Tantric Massages Subject to 'Sex Tax'

Tantric massages deliver sexual pleasure; hence they are subject to the same tax levied on brothels and swinger clubs, a local court in Germany has ruled.

The administrative court in southwestern German city of Stuttgart said that a studio offering the massages falls under the same tax levied on businesses that provide the "granting of opportunity for sexual pleasures", News24 reported.

The decision came after a complaint was registered by the owner of a massage studio who had been billed a total of 840 euros for January and February 2012 under a local "amusement tax".

The studio owner had argued that the massage is aimed at providing holistic well-being and self-awareness and though "the genital area is involved during the massage, the main purpose of the treatment is not sexual pleasure".

Tantric massage is a type of full-body massage performed according to a ritual rooted in Tantric tradition.

Source: ANI