Climate bonus no longer applies: Commuters receive new tax relief!

Climate bonus no longer applies: Commuters receive new tax relief!

From 2026, commuters in Austria will receive a new tax compensation for CO₂ pricing. This decision follows the cancellation of the climate bonus, which has been considered financial compensation for the CO₂ tax since its introduction in 2022. How Vienna.at reported, the climate bonus will be abolished due to a high budget deficit, which is almost twice as high as originally expected. This measure is part of the budget restructuring through which the state wants to save around 2.1 billion euros in 2025.

The climate bonus, which was up to 290 euros annually for adults and half for children, was introduced to relieve the burden on households in times of rising CO₂ prices. Since 2022, over 4.1 billion euros have been distributed to the population, meaning more money has been paid back to households than was collected through the CO₂ tax. The last payment for 2024 took place in September, with many households receiving up to 290 euros.

New conditions for commuters

With the abolition of the climate bonus, alternative solutions must now be created for commuters. The commuter allowance, which currently amounts to up to 3,672 euros annually, remains in place. The government also announced that it would provide targeted relief for commuters as part of the new tax deduction. However, details of the regulation still need to be negotiated. The average tax equalization in 2025 will be loud Finanz.at be around 1,000 euros.

The climate bonus was originally introduced in response to the CO₂ tax of 55 euros per ton. This tax led to rising prices for heating oil and gasoline, leaving many households, particularly low-income households, in desperate need of this financial support. The cancellation of the climate bonus therefore particularly affects lower-income households.

Taxation of the climate bonus

Another aspect of the debate about the climate bonus was its taxation. Since 2023, high earners in particular have had to pay tax on the climate bonus, which applies to people with a gross monthly salary of over 6,600 euros. This taxation is automatic and occurs through data transmission to the Ministry of Finance. Those affected do not have to take any action, but could end up with an additional tax payment if they do not carry out their tax equalization automatically.

In summary, as part of the budget restructuring by 2026, a fundamental change in financial support for commuters and the tax handling of the climate bonus is expected. How The press added, affected households that have not yet collected climate bonuses from 2022 to 2024 can request up to 1,010 euros from the Climate Protection Ministry.