Economic Minister is demanding tax exemption for holiday work!

Economic Minister is demanding tax exemption for holiday work!

Dolomitenstadt, Österreich - On June 20, 2025, Austrian Economic Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (ÖVP) calls for a fundamental reform of the tax law to achieve tax reimbursement for employees who work on public holidays. Hattmannsdorfer emphasizes that employees in catering, tourism as well as health and social affairs are often active on public holidays and should receive an appropriate and, above all, tax-free fee.

The topic is raised again by a decision by the Federal Finance Court from December 2022, which found that the holiday wage, which has received workers for work on public holidays, is taxable. Previously, this fee had been tax -free. Hattmannsdorfer wants this to be reversed with changes in the Income Tax Act and the Work's Restricts Act in order to recognize and reward the responsibility of these employees.

relevant numbers and legal bases

In 2024, an average of around 230,000 people were employed in accommodation and gastronomy in Austria, as well as around 320,000 in health and social affairs. These figures illustrate how many people would be affected by the changes. The reinterpretation of the legal situation has far -reaching effects, because the Federal Finance Court ruled that the fee does not apply as a surcharge within the meaning of the Income Tax Act. This questions the financial situation of many employees and results in applications for corresponding changes in the law.

An inquiry response from the Federal Ministry of Finance on April 2, 2025 also confirmed the perspective of the Federal Finance Court and thus underlined the need for action for a legal adjustment. These regulations could mean a significant change for wages and salaries in the calendar year 2025, and adaptation measures for the months of January, February and March 2025 may be required.

claims for tax -free holiday work

Hattmannsdorfer expresses the hope that the fee for holiday work will remain tax -free again in the future in order to improve working conditions for the strongly claimed employees in the sectors mentioned. The planned change in the law would not only enhance the remuneration of the employees, but also reflect their appreciation in society.

The discussion about holiday work and its tax treatment shows how important it is to improve working conditions in systemically relevant professions, especially at a time when the importance of such employment comes to the fore. The increasing pressure on politics to seriously address these topics will shape future decisions in legislation.

For further information on the legal background and developments, reference is made to the detailed explanations of reporting: [Dolomitenstadt] (https://www.dolomitenstadt.at/2025/06/20/feierkarbeit-soll-wieder- taxfreis-werden/) Zeitung] (https://www.kleinezeitung.at/wirtschaft/19813889/engagement-nicht-betrafen-feierpfeit-soll-wieder- tax-free) and [wko] (https://www.wko.at/lohnvertrechtung/feiertagenagenlung/feiertagengelt-gent-der-der-der-Dende-der-Dende-der-Dende-der-Dende-der-Dende-der-der