Troke drama: Does the tax exemption for the catering trade come?

Troke drama: Does the tax exemption for the catering trade come?

Wien, Österreich - On May 27, 2025, the discussion about the tax -free of drinking money in Austria will be highlighted again. ÖHV President Walter Veit calls for a comprehensive reform that provides for a tax exemption for tips. This requirement finds broad support from the entire political spectrum, which underlines the explosiveness of the topic. Support comes from prominent governors of the ÖVP, including Johanna Mikl-Leitner (Lower Austria), Thomas Stelzer (Upper Austria) and Wilfried Haslauer (Salzburg), as well as social democratic and freedom representatives such as Hans Peter Doskozil (Burgenland) and Mario Kunasek (Styria).

Veit also thanks the backing of Deregulation State Secretary Sepp Schellhorn (NEOS) and WKÖ President Harald Mahrer (ÖVP). Minister of Social Affairs Korinna Schumann (SPÖ) also accepted the topic and is working on a solution as part of the government program. However, the location is complex because there are different tips of tips from the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) that vary depending on the professional group. Higher flat rates do not necessarily lead to larger drinking money, but can lead to higher deductions.

complexity of the regulations

The current regulation is criticized by Veit as bureaucratic and complicated. He emphasizes the need for relief for employees and companies to promote a modern picture of Austria. The tax handling of drinking money proves to be difficult. Drinking funds are considered subject to social security contributions and are subject to different flat rates depending on the industry and the federal state. In Vienna, for example, the flat rate for waiter is around 60 euros per month, while everything is under full social security obligation.

Harald Mahrer has asked that drinking money is no longer taxed by the tax office, since they should be regarded as a sign of recognition and not as income. In a current market study, 88 % of those surveyed stated that they were for tax -free drinking money. Especially in the catering and hotel industry, where staff is often under high pressure, drinking money plays an important role.

political reactions and market development

The discussion about the taxation of drinking money also gains explosive in explosiveness through reports on the demands of the ÖGK after exams that have caused excitement. The FPÖ criticized the claim of Mahrers as a "bad ÖVP-Schmäh" and pointed out to the fact that a tax exemption in the government program is not explicitly mentioned. Christoph Steiner from the FPÖ argues that tips for many employees in gastronomy and tourism are important additional earnings.

In addition, the tax treatment of drinking money can be complex. Drinking money is freed from wage tax if they are paid voluntarily and are common in the industry. However, if drinking money benefits from an entrepreneur, they are subject to sales tax. This shows that a reform is urgently necessary to create fair and uniform conditions for all employees that are dependent on drinking money.

Overall, it becomes clear that the political leadership of the country is required to create clear regulations and to evaluate the different tips of the tips. The unity across party borders could be a key to the solution that brings both the employees and companies a noticeable relief.