Tip-up debate cooks high: Union demands uniform rules!

Tip-up debate cooks high: Union demands uniform rules!

The debate about tips in Austrian gastronomy and hotel industry has gained sharpness in recent years and has been surrounded by myths. Roman Hebenstreit, chairman of the Vida union, describes the discussion as a sham debate. The origin of this discussion lies in the endeavor of a Salzburg restaurateur to avoid social security contributions to drinking money. Employer representatives: Inside, this topic has politically inflated, while reality is different: tips remain voluntary, tax -free and only belongs to the employees.

Important aspects of the legal framework regarding tips are shown in the different regulations between the federal states. In some cases, hotels and restaurants have to do social security contributions on drinking money or work with flat rates. These flat rates are subject to income tax and the decision as to whether a flat rate is applied lies with the respective company. Hebenstreit calls for a nationwide uniform flat rate for social security contributions, since the current flat rates vary greatly - from 13 euros in Vorarlberg up to 59 euros in Vienna, which underlines tariff inequality in the industry.

tip and their distribution

A survey by repugika on behalf of the Austrian Hoteliervereinigung (ÖHV) shows that 82 % of the respondents would like an end to the taxes. Nevertheless, only 39 % of the respondents regularly receive tips. The distribution of tips depends on the industry. In the catering trade, 87 %of the employees receive tips, followed by hairdressers (63 %), hotels (48 %), delivery services (47 %) and craft (38 %).

The tip of the population's tips of the population is also revealing: 72 % often give tips, 26 % occasionally and only 2 % never. The average amount varies depending on the region and industry. In Vienna, for example, waiters pay around 60 euros per month as a flat rate. If the tips exceed these flat rates, full social security contributions are incurred, while the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) regularly demands six -digit sums. This can significantly reduce the net content of the employees.

regulation of tips of tips

The health insurance fund indicates that tips that are made as a voluntary money to the benefits owed is generally subject to contributions. Flash rates were introduced to simplify the determination of the actual drinking money, so that employers are not obliged to lead tip records if flat rates are used. These regulations are not uniform, which could create additional clarification needs at the political level.

The discussion about uniform social security treatment of drinking money is promoted by various actors in the industry. WKÖ President Harald Mahrer and ÖHV President Walter Veit call for a regulation that makes drinking money free of charge, supported by § 49 ASVG. The Federal Government has announced that the inconsistent rules between the federal states to find a solution that takes into account both the needs of the employees and the employer.