Tax shock: Government is planning radical tips in Austria!

Tax shock: Government is planning radical tips in Austria!

Österreich - The discussion about the tax treatment of drinking money in Austria has intensified in the past few weeks. Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer (SPÖ) warns of overhanged steps and emphasizes that a differentiated view is necessary in the interests of the employees. As part of the ongoing debate, the government is planning a nationwide uniform regulation for the treatment of drinking money, which is drawn up by the Ministry of Social Affairs under the direction of Korinna Schumann (SPÖ). This measure is part of the government agreement of SPÖ, ÖVP and Neos.

The freedom of drinking money of tax and tax obligation is a central concern. The FPÖ describes the current situation as scandalous and criticizes the rejection of its applications for the full tax and tax exemption of drinking funds. Christoph Steiner, the FPÖ tourism spokesman, argues that tax -free tip is an important part of earnings in the catering trade.

Tax framework conditions

According to the current provisions, drinking money must meet certain requirements in order to be tax -free. These include that the tip must be customary and customary in the plus, as well as voluntarily and without legal entitlement. In addition, it must be paid for the amount of work. Drinking funds that are given to employees with income from non -self -employed work are freed from wage tax, the employer contribution and the local tax, as long as the conditions mentioned are met, such as lbg.at explained.

It is important to note that tips that are turned to the entrepreneur are not tax -free and increase the basis for sales tax. If workers or the employer are passed on, they are tax -free as long as they get to the employees in question. In an example, such as a tip that a guest pays for the invoice by credit card, the tip remains free of wage tax as long as it is passed on correctly. If this does not come about, the drinking money is considered to be the company income subject to income tax regarding the company's financial situation.

long -term effects

Marterbauer emphasizes the long -term effects on the social system and warns of populist and overwhelmed discussions. Against the background of the possible reduction of deposits into the social system, which could result in a lower pension or unemployment benefit, the concern for the social law consequences is particularly relevant. A comprehensive regulation should therefore also take into account the sustainability of the social system.

The government coalition strives for damage limitation in this sensitive topic, while at the same time the FPÖ urgently appeals to the importance of a legal regulation. In order to meet the numerous details in individual cases, it remains to be seen how the federal government will ultimately act.